Donald Trump didn't hold back during Thursday's Republican presidential debate when he bashed Rosie O'Donnell in the process of answering a question about the "war on women."

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Fox News host and moderator Megyn Kelly addressed Trump during the debate with a tough question designed to point out some terrible things he's said about women in the past.

"Mr. Trump. One of the things people love about you is you speak your mind and you don't use a politician's filter. However, that is not without its downsides. In particular, when it comes to women. You've called women you don't like fat pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals. Your Twitter account..., Kelly said."

"Only Rosie O'Donnell," Trump interjected.

Trump's response erupted loud laughter and enthusiastic applause from the audience.

"Only one," Trump reiterated.

"No, it wasn't," Kelly fired back.

"For the record, it was well beyond Rosie O'Donnell," Kelly pointed out.

"Yes, I'm sure it was," Trump obliged.

Trump's feud with O'Donnell, a former co-host on The View, began in January 2007 when Trump announced Miss USA Tara Connor would keep her title, which was in jeopardy due to underage drinking. As part of her agreement with Trump, Connor entered an in-patient substance abuse rehabilitation center. 

O'Donnell said Trump had no right to be "the moral compass for 20-year-olds in America," sparking a string of nasty media exchanges between the pair. Barbara Walters was eventually brought into the fray, which publicized the battle even more by discussing things on The View.

During the GOP debate, Kelly also brought up a sexist comment Trump had made during a previous season of The Celebrity Apprentice.

"Your Twitter account has several disparaging comments about women's looks. You once told a contestant on The Celebrity Apprentice it would be a pretty picture to see her on her knees. Does that sound to you like the temperament of a man we should elect as president?" Kelly asked.

"And how will you answer the charge of Hillary Clinton -- who is likely to be the Democratic nominee -- that you are part of the war on women?"

"I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct. I've been challenged by so many people, and I don't, frankly, have time for total political correctness. And to be honest with you, this country doesn't have time either. This country is in big trouble," Trump explained.

"We don't win anymore. We lose to China, we lose to Mexico -- both in trade and at the border. We lose to everybody. And frankly, what I say -- and often times it's fun, it's kidding, we have a good time. What I say is what I say."

Trump then apologized to Kelly for not liking the things he has to say, but his words weren't without bitterness.

"And honestly, Megyn, if you don't like it, I'm sorry. I've been very nice to you, though, I could probably not be based on the way you've treated me. But I wouldn't do that. But you know what? We need strength, we need energy, we need quickness and we need brain in this country to turn it around. That I can tell you right now," Trump insisted.

Trump made the "knees" comment to a Playboy Playmate on a 2013 episode of The Celebrity Apprentice: All-Stars, the New York Daily News reported.

While in the boardroom, rocker Bret Michaels reportedly told Trump his teammate, model Brande Roderick, "got down on her knees" to show how dedicated she was to the show's particular task.

"Excuse me, you dropped to your knees?" Trump asked Roderick, according to the Daily News.

After Roderick said yes, Trump paused and said, "It must be a pretty picture. You dropping to your knees."
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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