The fallout from Thursday evening’s Fox News GOP debate carries far-reaching effects on the Donald Trump presidential campaign. After Megyn Kelly dared to ask Trump the questions no other media representative would ask, Trump threatened her on live television. Then he trashed Kelly on Twitter before saying she must have been “bleeding from her whatever.” This isn’t exactly presidential behavior, but hey, at least Trump’s airing all his flaws in the open.
Trump will have to endure the backlash for his statements, and he’s already being stripped of invitations to Republican-geared events. Now another one of Trump’s main advisers has either quit or been fired. Team Trump tells CNN that their boss fired Roger Stone for attention-seeking behavior:
“Mr. Trump fired Roger Stone last night. We have a tremendously successful campaign and Roger wanted to use the campaign for his own personal publicity. He has had a number of articles about him recently and Mr. Trump wants to keep the focus of the campaign on how to Make America Great Again.”
Stone also spoke with CNN, saying he “categorically denies” getting canned. Stone revealed part of his resignation letter:
“Unfortunately, the current controversies involving personalities and provocative media fights have reached such a high volume that it has distracted attention from your platform and overwhelmed your core message. With this current direction of the candidacy, I no longer can remain involved in your campaign. I care about you as a friend and wish you well. Be assured I will continue to be vocal and active in the national debate to ensure our nation does not again turn to the failed and distrusted Bush/Clinton families.”
This excerpt from Stone’s letter indicates that he’s aiming for diplomacy as he leaves the Trump campaign. However, Stone isn’t above taking shots at Trump on Twitter. Stone is retweeting Trump hair jokes, and his own tweets are starting to get ugly. It’s hard to blame the guy for jumping from a ship on fire:
Sorry @realDonaldTrump didn't fire me- I fired Trump. Diasagree with diversion to food fight with @megynkelly away core issue messages
— Roger Stone (@RogerJStoneJr) August 8, 2015
The notion that I somehow need @realDonaldTrump to get publicity for myself is really ,really funny- he should do a google NEWS search
— Roger Stone (@RogerJStoneJr) August 8, 2015
Very anxious to see the direction of the Trump campaign from here and the next round of credible polls. #StandBy
— Roger Stone (@RogerJStoneJr) August 8, 2015
Stone is also retweeting other people’s comments. Stay tuned for more mud flinging.
https://twitter.com/JacobEngels/status/630097676177158144
No question @RogerJStoneJr was quitting Trump campaign.
— Tony Fabrizio (@TonyFabrizioGOP) August 8, 2015
More on the Trump dust up https://t.co/uzZPOTG43E
— Roger Stone (@RogerJStoneJr) August 8, 2015
(via CNN)