Donald Trump in Piety & Power, by Tom LoBianco
On Principles & Values:
I don't have time for political correctness
[In 2016,] debate moderator and Fox News host Megyn Kelly asked, "One of the things people love about you is you speak your mind and you don't use a politicians filter. However, that is not without its downsides , in particular when it comes to women.
You've called women fat pigs, disgusting slobs, and disgusting animals'."Then Trump cuts her off, "Only Rosie O'Donnell." The studio audience, mostly Republican honchos, loved it. Kelly quickly corrected him, "No it wasn't.
You once said to a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice, 'It would be a pretty picture to see her on her knees.' Does that sound to you like a man we should elect as president?" Then Trump launched into a tirade. "I don't have time for total political
correctness. And to be honest with you, this country doesn't either. This country is in big trouble. What I say often times, it's fun, it's kidding. And honestly Megyn, If you don't like it, I'm sorry. I've been very nice to you."
Source: Piety & Power, by Tom LoBianco, p.228-9
Sep 14, 2019
On Principles & Values:
We don't win anymore; we lose to China and Mexico
[When 2016 debate moderator Megyn Kelly pressed Trump on misogyny], Trump launched into a tirade. "We don't win anymore. We lose to China. We lose to Mexico at the border. We lose to everybody." He spun his wheels a second before a threat slipped
out, "And frankly, what I say often times, is it's fun, it's kidding. We have a good time. What I say is what I say. And honestly Megyn, If you don't like it, I'm sorry. I've been very nice to you, although I could probably maybe not be, based on
the way you've treated me. But I would not do that." The next day on CNN, Trump carried through on the threat. "You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her whatever.
In my opinion, she was off base." Had Trump just accused Megyn of attacking him because she was menstruating? It sure sounded that way, but the nuances could be debated forever, and they were.
Source: Piety & Power, by Tom LoBianco, p.228-9
Sep 14, 2019
On Principles & Values:
October Surprise: Access Hollywood tape of Trump
The Washington Post revealed a tape of Donald Trump bragging about abusing women. It was a hot mic moment from a 2005 episode of Access Hollywood. Trump bantered with show host Billy Bush, the nephew of former governor Jeb Bush, about how easy it was
for him to get whatever he wants from women because he's so rich and famous. As Trump and Billy Bush rode on their tour bus to en route to the studio, they spied their co-host in the parking lot--tall and slender soap star Arianne Zucker. Trump said he
better get ready, "I better use some tic-tacs just in case I start kissing her. You know, I'm automatically attracted to beautiful, I just start kissing them. It's like a magnet. Just kiss. I don't even wait. And when you're a star, they let you do it.
You can do anything." Billy Bush asked, "whatever you want?" Yeah, Trump said, "Grab 'em by the pussy, you can do anything you want."Then WikiLeaks posted e-mails from the Hillary campaign-an awfully convenient [response] "October Surprise."
Source: Piety & Power, by Tom LoBianco, p.265
Sep 14, 2019
Page last updated: Apr 26, 2021