The day after the first GOP presidential debate, stats guru Nate Silver made a prediction: “Donald Trump Won’t Win A War Against Fox News.”
The analysis on Silver’s website, FiveThirtyEight, was based on a poll showing Republican voters had a high level of trust in the conservative news channel. The prediction came after the Republican frontrunner howled about the way he was treated during the debate, which was hosted by Fox and moderated by three of its best known anchors.
In the weeks since then, Trump has widened his lead nationally, and Fox was left to explain that moderator Megyn Kelly’s vacation was pre-planned and had nothing to do with the Donald’s complaints.
Below is a breakdown of how Trump ended up going to war with Fox and coming out on top.
June 16
Fox News canceled Trump’s regularly-scheduled morning appearances on “Fox & Friends” after he announced his bid for the presidency. The network usually drops contributors when they announce a presidential bid.
July 18
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch, whose empire includes Fox News, criticized Trump on social media. Trump’s presidential announcement speech had included accusations that immigrants from Mexico were rapists and drug runners.
When is Donald Trump going to stop embarrassing his friends, let
alone the whole country?
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) July 19, 2015
July 21
A New York Times report, detailing Murdoch’s relationship with Trump, quoted insiders who reportedly said that Murdoch described Trump as “a phony” to friends.
July 22
New York magazine reporter Gabe Sherman reported that Murdoch wanted his top executive at Fox News to rein in the network’s coverage of Trump’s presidential campaign.
Sherman, citing anonymous sources, reported that Murdoch asked Fox News chairman Roger Ailes to “back off the Trump coverage.”
Sherman’s insiders reportedly said Ailes told Murdoch he was covering Trump “the way he wanted to.”
July 23
Ailes told The Hollywood Reporter that his relationship with Murdoch “has never been better” and that Trump did not come up in conversations the two Fox executives had that day.
August 4
CNN reported that Trump talked with Murdoch on the phone and the conversation was described by insiders as a “peace-making effort.”
August 6
At the GOP debate, moderator and Fox News host Megyn Kelly asked Trump about derogatory comments he’d made about women in the past. Trump used his answer to fire a warning shot at Kelly.
“Honestly, Megyn, if you don’t like it, I’m sorry,” he said. “I’ve been very nice to you, although I could probably not be based on the way you have treated me. But I wouldn’t do that.”
August 7
The next day, Trump’s warning turned into a full-on attack. He tweeted his dislike of Kelly’s questions at the GOP debate.
Wow, @megynkelly really bombed tonight. People are going wild on twitter! Funny to watch.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2015
I really enjoyed the debate tonight even though the @FoxNews trio, especially @megynkelly, was not very good or professional!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2015
“@timjcam: @megynkelly @FrankLuntz @realDonaldTrump Fox viewers give low marks to bimbo @MegynKelly will consider other programs!”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2015
Later that day, Trump went on CNN and made the infamous comments that many interpreted to be about Kelly’s menstrual cycle.
“She gets out and she starts asking me all sorts of ridiculous questions,” Trump said in a phone interview with CNN. “You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever.”
August 10
Despite widespread criticism for his comment on CNN, Trump said on MSNBC that Kelly should apologize to him.
That comment was reportedly the last straw for Ailes, who called him that morning. CNN reported that Ailes told Trump “we can resolve this now or we can go to war.”
Ailes described it as a “blunt but cordial conversation” and that the “air has been cleared.” Trump referenced the phone call on social media.
Roger Ailes just called. He is a great guy & assures me that “Trump” will be treated fairly on @FoxNews. His word is always good!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2015
New York magazine’s Sherman reported that Ailes offered Trump a spot on Kelly’s news program, but that Trump refused. He opted instead for an interview with “Fox & Friends” and “Hannity.”
A report by TVNewser later disputed that Trump was offered a special on Kelly’s show.
On her show that evening, Kelly said she would not apologize “for doing good journalism.”
August 11
Trump returned to Fox News, and the channel made no mention of his “blood” comment.
“Glad you’re back with us and glad we’re friends again,” co-host Steve Doocy said as he welcomed Trump to “Fox & Friends.”
“Well we are friends, Steve. We’ve always been friends,” Trump responded.
August 13
Kelly announced that she was taking a vacation.
August 14
Fox News released a statement that Kelly’s vacation had nothing to do with Trump.
“The conspiracy theories about Megyn Kelly’s vacation rank up there with UFO’s (sic), the moon landing and Elvis being alive,” the Fox spokesperson told Mediaite. “To imply otherwise as Donald Trump and his campaign operatives have is not only wildly irresponsible, but downright bizarre.”
August 19
Trump told The Hollywood Reporter it was “unlikely” he would go on Kelly’s show for an interview.
“We were at war because I felt that (Kelly’s debate question about women) was unfair, and I let him know it. But it’s all fine now,” Trump told the publication. “They were tough questions, and I thought inappropriate, but Roger didn’t, and I’ll go with Roger.”
August 24
Kelly returned to hosting her program and Trump hopped on Twitter to criticize her performance.
.@megynkelly must have had a terrible vacation, she is really off her game. Was afraid to confront Dr. Cornel West. No clue on immigration!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 25, 2015
I liked The Kelly File much better without @megynkelly. Perhaps she could take another eleven day unscheduled vacation!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 25, 2015
He also retweeted a couple insults.
“@ColeHudson68: @megynkelly @FoxNews @theBlaze @greta @OreillyFactor Megyn needs to go back on vacation. What a waste of an hour on Fox.”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 25, 2015
“@mstanish53: @realDonaldTrump @megynkelly The bimbo back in town. I hope not for long .”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 25, 2015
August 25
Throughout the day, Fox News hosts defended colleague Megyn Kelly on social media and during their news programs. Some called Trump’s behavior “unpresidential” and “totally out of control.”
My friend @realDonaldTrump has captured the imagination of many. Focus on Hillary, Putin, border, jobs, Iran China & leave @megynkelly alone
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) August 25, 2015
The intelligence, class & grace of @megynkelly shined last night after her week’s vacation with her family. I’ll be on #kellyfile Wed night.
— Dana Perino (@DanaPerino) August 25, 2015
Wish pal @realDonaldTrump would cool feud with @megynkelly Point is made boss. Now world needs you to use bully pulpit to address big issues
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) August 25, 2015
Please shut up. https://t.co/mTNVwRyJsD
— Kirsten Powers (@KirstenPowers) August 25, 2015
In the afternoon, Roger Ailes released a statement and demanded Trump apologize for his comments about Kelly, calling them an “unprovoked attack” that was “unacceptable” and “disturbing.”
Trump told Politico that he “totally disagrees” with Ailes and that he did not think Kelly was a quality journalist.
August 26
Trump told conservative radio host Laura Ingraham on her show that Ailes was “a good friend” and that the two had spoken just before the interview.
“Roger Ailes is great. Roger Ailes is a special guy, a good friend of mine,” Trump said on the radio program. “We just spoke two minutes ago. I mean Roger Ailes is a great guy. And, no, I have no problem.”
August 31
Trump did not seem inclined to let the war end there, however. As recently as Monday, he lodged yet another complaint about Fox News.
Just out – new PPP NATIONAL POLL has me in first place by a wide margin at 29%. I wonder why only @FoxNews has not reported this? Too bad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2015