I am beginning to feel sorry for Donald Trump. He has money, fame, power and supporters -- but apparently no real friends. There's truth in that old cliché, "It's lonely at the top."
Tony Schwartz, co-author of Trump's Art of the Deal, has noted "He does not have close friends outside of his family."
This heartbreaking reality became evident during the GOP debate earlier this month when Trump was asked, "What did you get from Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi?" He responded, "I'll tell you what, with Hillary Clinton, I said, 'Be at my wedding,' and she came to my wedding. You know why? She had no choice, because I gave."
Gee, that's sad. He had to pay her to attend. I wonder why he wanted her there and if there were other paid guests. Usually one decorates a wedding with fabric, flowers and fountains -- not with people. And this could get expensive for Trump. He's been married three times -- so far. On the other hand, he's very rich.
Now it appears that the folks at Fox News are unfriending the Donald. At that debate, Fox's Megyn Kelly asked him about allegedly calling some women "fat pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals," or him telling a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice that it would be a "pretty picture to see her on her knees."
Trump responded in part, "What I say is what I say. And honestly Megyn, if you don't like it, I'm sorry. I've been very nice to you, although I could probably maybe not be, based on the way you have treated me. But I wouldn't do that."
He said he wouldn't do that, but he did. First he made a wise crack saying, "You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes; blood coming out of her wherever." Initially it appeared that the Fox brass was going to give him a free pass. Then Trump just couldn't leave well enough alone. Kelly just returned from a vacation, and last night Trump started up again, tweeting "The bimbo back in town. I hope not for long." Another, "I liked The Kelly File much better without @megynkelly. Perhaps she could take another eleven day unscheduled vacation!" It went downhill from there with more mean tweets he directed at Kelly.
On Tuesday, Fox News CEO/Chairman Roger Ailes had enough, and called on Trump to apologize for his latest unprovoked attack on Kelly. Here's his full statement:
Donald Trump's surprise and unprovoked attack on Megyn Kelly during her show last night is as unacceptable as it is disturbing. Megyn Kelly represents the very best of American journalism and all of us at FOX News Channel reject the crude and irresponsible attempts to suggest otherwise. I could not be more proud of Megyn for her professionalism and class in the face of all of Mr. Trump's verbal assaults. Her questioning of Mr. Trump at the debate was tough but fair, and I fully support her as she continues to ask the probing and challenging questions that all presidential candidates may find difficult to answer. Donald Trump rarely apologizes, although in this case, he should. We have never been deterred by politicians or anyone else attacking us for doing our job, much less allowed ourselves to be bullied by anyone and we're certainly not going to start now. All of our journalists will continue to report in the fair and balanced way that has made FOX News Channel the number one news network in the industry.
Trump is always quick to apologize when he's wrong. The problem is in his mind, he never is.
On Tuesday, Fox News pundits Sean Hannity Bret Baier, Chris Wallace, Brian Kilmeade and others at the network joined in defending Kelly and scolding Trump. And on Sunday, Fox News founder Rupert Murdoch tweeted, "With Trump becoming very serious candidate, it's time for next billionaire candidate, Mike Bloomberg to step into ring. Greatest mayor.+"
Unfriended. Alone. Abandoned. There hasn't been a sadder case since Lucy joined "The Friends of the Friendless."
Mr. Trump, this song is for you: