Trump's Ouster Sets Off Twitter Storm
The Twittersphere was abuzz on Saturday with news that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump would not be be permitted to appear at an important conservative conference to be held in Atlanta over the weekend. Erick Erickson, the key organizer of RedState Gathering and editor-in-chief of the conservative news website RedState.com, said he decided to disinvite Trump after the real estate mogul made disparaging and "demeaning" remarks about Fox news anchor Megyn Kelly, who moderated the Republican debate Thursday night.
Erickson told Time that Trump's remarks to CNN about Kelly questioning him during the debate ("You know, you could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever.") proved the candidate is simply a bully.
"I wanted to have him here as a legitimate candidate, but no legitimate candidate suggests a female asking questions does so because she's hormonal," Erickson told reporters.
Trump was scheduled to appear Saturday night to give a keynote speech. Erickson offerred the spot to Kelly, though she has yet to respond on Twitter.
I hated to disinvite you and hope you might realize that common decency is not political correctness or weakness. https://t.co/YkZ3sRfEnD
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) August 8, 2015.@redstate I miss you all, and thanks for all of your support. Political correctness is killing our country. "weakness."
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 8, 2015
Trump attempted to clarify the comment he made about Kelly.
Re Megyn Kelly quote: "you could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever" (NOSE). Just got on w/thought
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 8, 2015
Public figures and political pundits praised Erickson's decision.
I agree with @CarlyFiorina, there's no excuse for Trump's comments. Stand with @MegynKelly. -SW
— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) August 8, 2015
Baier, Kelly, Wallace great job Thursday. Fine journalism, no more, no less. Friend Donald has to learn this is public life.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) August 8, 2015
I totally agree with my friend @EWErickson standing up to @realDonaldTrump misogyny: http://t.co/tvK0mk1mx3
— Russell Moore (@drmoore) August 8, 2015
Some commentators said the decision was a display of blatant hypocrisy.
Republicans getting a taste of what it's like when someone says something vile & repulsive & then says: "What's your problem? Stop being PC"
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) August 8, 2015Trump later commented on Erickson's decision.
Trump statement on Megyn Kelly, RedState, & “total loser” @EWErickson pic.twitter.com/G0A7UOZN0W
— Molly Ball (@mollyesque) August 8, 2015
The difference between Donald Trump and me is that I apologized and he is just denying he said it.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) August 8, 2015
