Trump dis-invited from ultra conservative Red State Gathering over Kelly remarks

Donald Trump’s recent clashes with Fox personality and debate moderator Megyn Kelly were cause enough for ultraconservative RedState CEO Erick Erickson to dis-invite him from his speaking engagement at the RedState Gathering 2015 currently underway.  

Trumps reportedly tweeted insulting remarks about Kelly, including the following:

“The biggest loser in the debate was @megynkelly. You can’t out trump Donald Trump. You will lose!

“Fox viewers give low marks to bimbo @MegynKelly will consider other programs!”

“I’m getting a lot of @MegynKelly hatemail tonight. #GOPDebate” She is totally overrated and angry. She really bombed tonite”

In a CNN interview, Mr. Trump said of Kelly, “You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes. Blood coming out of her wherever.” He later clarified saying he meant “whatever”…

Erickson sent the following message “I have rescinded my invitation to Mr.Trump. While I have tried to give him great latitude, his remark about Megyn Kelly was a bridge too far — Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) August 8, 2015”  

– and further “I have tried to give a great deal of latitude to Donald Trump in his run for the Presidency. He is not a professional politician and is known for being a blunt talker. He connects with so much of the anger in the Republican base and is not afraid to be outspoken on a lot of issues. But there are even lines blunt talkers and unprofessional politicians should not cross. Decency is one of those lines.”

Trump was also chastised by fellow Republican primary candidate Carly Fiorina, who tweeted: “Mr. Trump: There. Is. No. Excuse.”

Author’s analysis:  The clash of Mr. Trump and Ms. Kelly was not unexpected, but he will have to start watching his words a bit.  This is not fatal by any means, and a clash at this level is seriously the best thing that could happen to Megyn Kelly.  She is already primetime, her audience will grow because of it. Everyone knows the record 24 million viewers for the debate was because of Mr. Trump. 

The bigger issue for Mr. Trump is even though he is polling at #1, he was dis-invited from RedState.  The RedState Gathering is a small but prestigious ultra-conservative group (I once heard Erickson say he would never be friends with someone who wasn’t 100% pro-life).   To me, this means Mr. Trump hasn’t gained the trust of the vocal and influential hardcore and knowledgeable political right. We have commented on this before, it will be tough going if Mr. Trump doesn’t fix this.