In excerpts from her new book, Settle for More, obtained by The New York Times, Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly says Donald Trump tried repeatedly to lavish her with gifts as his campaign began, and when she refused them all, he switched from carrot to stick.
“Mr. Trump did not take kindly to Ms. Kelly’s questions, and he appeared to retaliate in creepy, personal ways,” writes The Times’ Jennifer Senior. Many journalists are already concerned that he has little regard for their professional responsibilities or First Amendment rights. Settle for More won’t allay their fears.”
Kelly reveals that Trump wasn’t just angry about Kelly’s first question at the first Republican primary debate, he was angry the day before, having heard a tough question was coming. He was not happy. “Folks were starting to worry about Trump — his level of agitation did not match the circumstances,” Kelly writes. “Yes, it was his first debate. But this was bizarre behavior, especially for a man who wanted the nuclear codes.”
It was only on the debate stage that Trump, Kelly says, learned the exact nature of the question: Trump’s long history of disparaging comments about women. “My book does not suggest Trump had any debate questions in advance,” Kelly said on Twitter Friday. “Nor do I believe that he did.”
Kelly also details her relationship with former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes, describing harassment and threats:
“But suffice it to say, he made sexual comments to me, offers of professional advancement in exchange for sexual favors.” In 2006, she writes, Mr. Ailes tried to grab her and kiss her on the lips. Ms. Kelly dodged him twice and made a beeline for the door — at which point, she writes, he asked her an ominous question: “When is your contract up?” Then he lunged for the third time.
She consulted a lawyer. “But I knew the reality of the situation,” she continues. “If I caused a stink, my career would likely be over.”