Greta Van Susteren joined the Fox News “For your own good, tone it down,” Donald Trump messaging team.
Yesterday, I wrote that it seemed like Fox was trying to send advice to Donald Trump that he should soften his rhetoric if he wants to win the election. That same day, Trump appeared on Van Susteren’s On The Record show where she delivered that message directly to him:
The discussion began with Trump’s attack on Hillary Clinton as having gotten “schlonged” by Barack Obama in 2008. Trump argued that the term only meant “to get beaten badly” and not anything vulgar. He claimed that “some pretty quality people” have also used the term. “So I think I probably skirted by that one. Greta, what do you think?” Trump asked.
Of course, Van Susteren took plenty of opportunities to let Trump know she thinks he’s almost as great as he thinks he is. But he still got an earful.
VAN SUSTEREN: Well, I think so but here’s your problem. …From the numbers it looks like you are gonna get the Republican nomination. A lot can happen between now and the convention next summer. But right now, your numbers are quite overwhelming and you’re winning. If you get the nomination, though, you’re gonna have a whole ‘nother thing to consider and that’s the independents. And your favorability with the independents, which is about 16% of the vote, is that your unfavorable right now is 59%. Are you gonna have to sort of rethink your delivery, rethink the language you use, especially in reference to women?
Trump argued that his focus has been on winning the nomination and that Clinton will be easier to beat.
Since he wasn’t getting the message, Van Susteren reiterated it, this time a bit more forcefully.
VAN SUSTEREN: Donald, you’re likeable but I tell you, I sort of gasp when I hear you sort of making bathroom jokes about Secretary Clinton. Or anyone. And that’s why I wonder… should you get the nomination, are you going to change your language a bit and appear what I call more presidential?
Don’t hold your breath, Greta. The ever awesomely awesome Trump thinks he’s as awesomely presidential as ever.
“I think I’m presidential and I think I’ve done what I call presidential work,” Trump – who has never held a single elective office – said. “You know I built an incredible company. I’ve made great deals, I’ve had tremendous success.”
Not surprisingly, Van Susteren didn’t challenge his ridiculous claim.
She moved on to discuss the Washington Post editorial cartoon depicting Senator Ted Cruz’ daughters as monkeys, which was one of the topics du jour on Fox all day yesterday.
Hilariously, Trump – the guy who mocks disabled people - suddenly developed a sense of propriety and called the cartoon “inappropriate.”
Van Susteren didn’t note the irony.
The fact that Fox booked Trump on Van Susteren’s show is another indication the network wanted him to get a talking-to. Other than Megyn Kelly who is feuding with Trump and off this week anyway, Van Susteren is the Fox host most sensitive to sexism. Had Fox wanted a segment defending Trump’s behavior, he would have been booked on the Hannity show.
But he’ll probably always have his Fox defenders.
Watch it below, from the December 23 On The Record.
Am logging off for one of those capacity-challenging dinners that seem somehow to make up for the almost totally non-Christian atmosphere that has come to symbolise Xmas. Over here in the land of pasta, it starts on Xmas eve with deep fried fish and vegetables, continues tomorrow lunch with a capon broth followed by several sorts of meat and vegetables and it goes on like that to Twelfth Night (la Befana). Burrrrrp!
All the best to the greatest pack on the tubes. (hope I got the jargon right). And thanx to Ellen and the others who have the stomach to watch Fox so that I don’t have to.
Bemused
As for tRump’s “schlonged” comment, if he really doesn’t think it’s vulgar, I wonder if he’d mind the following scenario: He loses the GOP nomination to Cruz or Rubio and some “clever” reporter decides to title his story, “Trumps gets schlonged.” Personally, I think tRump would be calling for the reporter’s head to be served to him on a silver platter.
Looks like Faux is gonna learn what it’s like being left holding the bag.