Here are Donald Trump’s most ridiculous debate comments
Another day, another set of absurd Donald Trump quotes.
Trump starred in the first Republican presidential debate ahead of 2016, continually driving the conversation and talking points of the two-hour event. As is his wont, he spoke without much preparation and seemingly didn’t know where he would end when he began making a point.
Not that those issues made his comments any less intriguing. Here’s a rundown of his most quotable lines from Thursday night’s debate.
“I cannot say I have to respect the person that – if it’s not me – the person that wins.’’
Host Chris Wallace opened the debate by asking the candidates to pledge that they would not run as an independent in the case that someone else wins the Republican primary.
“Raise your hand if you won’t make that pledge tonight,’’ he said.
Trump immediately raised his hand, leading to boos from the crowd. Wallace noted that a third-party run would likely split the Republican vote and lead to a Democratic victory. Trump did not disagree.
“I can totally make that pledge: If I’m the nominee, I will not run as an independent,’’ Trump said. “I am discussing it with everybody, but we’re talking about a lot of leverage.’’
“If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t even be talking about illegal immigration.’’
Trump said that his comments calling some Mexican immigrants “rapists’’ at his opening presidential speech started the conversation about undocumented immigrants.
“You wouldn’t be talking,’’ Trump said about immigration topics. “This wasn’t a subject.’’
“Only Rosie O’Donnell.’’
Fox News host Megyn Kelly’s first question at Trump called him out on his many mysogynistic comments about women. “You’ve called women you don’t like fat pigs, dogs, slobs and disgusting animals,’’ she said.
“Only Rosie O’Donnell,’’ Trump interjected, earning a round of cheers from the crowd.
Kelly pushed on. “You once told a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice it would be a pretty picture to see her on her knees,’’ she said. Trump then defended his offensive comments.
“The big problem this country has is being politically correct,’’ Trump said. “I don’t frankly have time for total political correctness.’’
“Honestly, Megyn, if you don’t like it, I’m sorry.’’
Kelly’s question on Trump’s comments about women irked the businessman.
“I’ve been very nice to you, although I could probably maybe not be based on the way you’ve treated me,’’ he said to jeers. “But I wouldn’t do that.’’
“With Hillary Clinton, I said be at my wedding, and she came to my wedding.’’
Trump, who has donated to politicians across the spectrum, was asked how he benefited from donating to Democrats Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi. Trump said that, because of the donations, Clinton had to attend his third marriage in 2005. “You know why? She had no choice, because I gave,’’ Trump said.
Trump and Clinton have long been friends, and Trump praised the former Secretary of State as recently as 2012, calling her “terrific.’’
“What am I saying.’’
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Gallery: The 2016 presidential candidates
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