This post has been updated.
After conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt stumped Donald Trump with questions about the Iran Revolutionary Guard’s special Quds Force, Laura Ingraham rushed to the real estate mogul’s defense by attacking Hewitt’s tactics.
Trump confused the Quds force with the Kurdish ethnic group in the Middle East, and was also unable to answer Hewitt’s questions about the leaders of world terror organizations. Trump whined about the host’s “gotcha” questions, and called Hewitt a “third-rate radio announcer” on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
On Thursday night, Ingraham, a supporter of Trump, accused Hewitt of treating the real estate mogul unfairly.
Pop Quiz to Trump by Bush- friendly Hewitt: We knew this was coming: http://t.co/bAyXpJuJ73 Notice that Jeb immed commented on this intvw.
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) September 4, 2015
Gotcha Thurs: Trump dn know the names of the top terror leaders & affiliated groups. Wd be fun to do quiz on ALL candidates–on Const.
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) September 4, 2015
Hewitt responded by highlighting tough questions he’s asked former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, one of which Bush admitted he couldn’t answer.
Memo to @IngrahamAngle: http://t.co/MY0Wtq3NfL Note questions on (1) 3d invasion of Iraq (2) Ohio class subs (3) dynasties and democracies
— Hugh Hewitt (@hughhewitt) September 4, 2015
Ingraham also compared Hewitt to Katie Couric, referencing the journalist’s question to Palin in 2008 about which magazines she read.
Meet the new Katie Couric! http://t.co/bAyXpJuJ73
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) September 4, 2015
Hewitt, who will serve as one of the moderators in the CNN GOP presidential debate in September, told Politico that he will not change his debate questions based on criticism from Trump and his allies.
“DT has been my guest four times in the past 30 days and I hope he keeps coming back,” Hewitt said, in a statement to Politico, referring to Trump. “Best interview in America. But I won’t change my debate prep or question set because of his or others critiques or praise. I ask questions that I think many GOP primary voters are interested in, whether of DT or all the other GOPers. Others interviewed this week include Christie, Graham, Huckabee, Rubio and Walker as well as Fiorina twice. They all get tough questions with some overlap and some new ones each time.”
And as Hewitt, Ingraham and Trump duked it out, the Jeb Bush campaign reveled in the coverage. Bush campaign spokesman Tim Miller mocked Ingraham for mentioning the former Florida governor.
Trump doesn’t know the difference between Quds and Kurds and his defenders blame… Jeb! Getting bleak in Trumpworld https://t.co/mkq6He9fNY
— Tim Miller (@Timodc) September 4, 2015
Following Ingraham’s defense of Trump, the real estate mogul on Friday afternoon thanked Ingraham for a tweet about him.
So nice, thank you Laura. https://t.co/F42OC3yFa9
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 4, 2015
I don’t know how anybody ever got the idea that the GOP is the Stupid Party.
Ingraham has always loved to show off how stupid she can be. Why else is she on FuxSnooz?
Tim Miller is not really cut for this kind of job, no edge, no passion.
I think JEB! should ‘officially retire’ him
Because 'Merica don’t care if a Know-Nuffin is elected Pres-dent!
Trump, Fiorina, Hugh Hewitt, Ingraham, Huckabee. All spouting bullshit; playing, or complaining about, “gotchas”; many of them at each other’s throats, and Kim Davis in the hoosegow.
One helluva mornin’ and I’m a happy guy; I’m a happy guy.