NEW YORK — Fox News Channel's Megyn Kelly says she's not anticipating any more fights with Donald Trump in Thursday's Republican presidential debate, and that she's preparing the same "tough but fair" questions for him as she does for other candidates.
The stage in Detroit will be a little emptier with Ben Carson suspending his campaign Wednesday. All eyes will be on Kelly and Trump, who clashed during the first GOP debate last summer. Trump then boycotted an Iowa debate that Fox telecast in January after the network refused to remove Kelly as one of the moderators.
Thursday's two-hour debate starts at 9 p.m. EST; Kelly will moderate along with Bret Baier and Chris Wallace.
"It was never personal from my point of view," Kelly said. "I understand he was upset. I didn't take it personally, and I certainly don't have anything against him. I find him a very fascinating person to cover."
Kelly's questioning angered Trump during the first GOP debate last August, most prominently when he was confronted with some of his past comments about women. He then unleashed attacks on her on social media and in interviews, renewing them just before the Iowa debate. After Trump skipped that debate, he lost the Iowa caucuses to Ted Cruz.
Trump spokesman Hope Hicks said he looks forward to Thursday's debate.
"It's not a focus of our preparation but obviously it's the elephant in the room," Fox's Baier said. "It's not front of mind, but it's in mind. We're not going to focus on one candidate or the other."
Read Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.