Republican front-runner Donald Trump on Wednesday denied that his ongoing criticism of Fox News host Megyn Kelly is the result of a schoolyard crush.
"Today" show host Matt Lauer told Trump Wednesday, "It starts to sound a little bit - and take this the right way, Donald - like you're a guy with a schoolyard crush. When we're in elementary school or junior-high school, guys often say the meanest things about the girls they like the most."
The billionaire real estate tycoon insisted that was not the case.
"Trust me, Matt, there is no crush - that I can tell you," Trump responded.
The Trump/Kelly beef goes back to the first Republican presidential debate earlier this month, hosted by Fox News and co-moderated by Kelly. It was there that Kelly asked Trump a series of questions, including one about public comments he has made calling some women "fat pigs" and "slobs," which Kelly said are demeaning to women, according to The Washington Examiner.
Trump later claimed that Kelly and Fox News had unfairly targeted him with unprofessional questions, and the outspoken businessman unleashed his wrath on Twitter, at one point seemingly hinting that Kelly was so tough on him because she was on her period.
On Wednesday, Trump, who is married, swore off any crush, saying the feud is strictly professional.
"As far as I was concerned, during the debate, she asked questions that were totally inappropriate," Trump told Lauer. "I personally am not a fan," he added. "I don't think she does a good job. I don't think she's a very good professional."
"I think frankly the show's better without her, but that's up to them and they can do whatever they want," he added, referring to "The Kelly File" on Fox News.
Trump leveled a number of additional insults against Kelly on Monday night, just after she returned from a vacation, which Trump said she probably took because of his attacks.
Kelly initially tweeted an infographic Monday explaining Trump's immigration policies: "Take a look at @realDonaldTrump's immigration proposals," Kelly tweeted along with the graphic depicting his immigration proposals, as HNGN reported.
Trump was on Twitter less than 15 minutes later to remind Kelly what he thinks of her, tweeting, "The bimbo back in town. I hope not for long."
"@megynkelly must have had a terrible vacation, she is really off her game," he said in another tweet regarding Kelly's interview with civil rights activist Cornel West. "Was afraid to confront Dr. Cornel West. No clue on immigration!"
Another tweet read: "I liked The Kelly File much better without @megynkelly. Perhaps she could take another eleven day unscheduled vacation!"
