Katrina Pierson, a spokeswoman for Donald Trump, defended her boss’ attacks on Heidi Cruz Thursday evening in a heated exchange with Alice Stewart, a spokeswoman for Sen. Ted cruz (R-TX), on CNN.
CNN’s Erin Burnett began the segment by asking Pierson if she was offended by her boss’ actions after Trump retweeted an unflattering photo of Heidi Cruz in response to an anti-Trump super PAC ad featuring a picture of Melania Trump in a GQ photo shoot.
“No, Erin, actually, I’m one of those women that doesn’t need validation from outside sources,” Pierson responded, adding that Cruz did not immediately denounce the super PAC ad.
Stewart protested, saying that Cruz was not involved in the ad and “denounced it the very first moment it was brought to his attention.” She added that Trump “denigrates women” while Cruz “defends them.”
“Donald Trump in this cycle alone has said insulting and denigrating things about Megyn Kelly, about Carly Fiorina, and now Heidi Cruz. It’s absolutely unacceptable,” Stewart said. “And Katrina, I’m surprised and shocked that you’re not embarrassed. If you’re not embarrassed by your boss’ behavior, that says a lot.”
Pierson said there was no reason to be “surprised.”
“The problem that Republicans have with women did not start in January 2015. This has been an ongoing issue, and Mr. Trump treats everyone the same. Just because you’re a woman, he’s not going to treat you with kid gloves. And I would expect most independent women would appreciate that,” she said.
“The fact that he is an equal opportunity offender does not make his disgusting comments about women OK,” Stewart hit back.
Watch the exchange via The Blaze:
