Donald Trump, who's planning to boycott Thursday's Fox News/Google debate, once criticized Republican candidates who refused to attend a forum he tried to put together.
"We're not seeing a lot of courage," Trump said in a 2011 interview, about a debate he was trying to host with Newsmax.
The interview, it so happens, was with Megyn Kelly -- the same Fox News anchor Trump is now criticizing. But in 2011, Trump praised her moderating skills.
Kelly, at the time, asked him, “Do you really think you’re a better moderator than I am?”
Trump replied, “No. I could never beat you. That wouldn’t even be close. That would be no contest.”
He added, “You have done a great job, by the way. And I mean it.”
The Trump/Newsmax debate did not end up going forward.
On Tuesday, Trump said he would not participate in Thursday’s Fox News/Google debate. Though Trump has said he had concerns with debate co-moderator Kelly, his campaign claimed Wednesday his decision to skip the event had nothing to do with her.
However, Trump again went after the Fox News host Wednesday morning on Twitter, calling her a “lightweight reporter.”
As for Kelly, she said Tuesday, “The debate will go on with or without Mr. Trump.”
More from Politics
Fox News Politics
Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.