Fox News host Bill O'Reilly criticized GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump for not appearing on his show because he often has critics of Trump on.
On Wednesday's
"O'Reilly Factor," the host opened the show saying Trump's statement calling Texas Sen. Ted Cruz names after losing the Wisconsin primary to him on Tuesday was "not presidential" and "not a smart move."
He then said he had hoped to have Trump on Wednesday's show, but several days of negotiations with his team had been fruitless.
"Apparently there is angst in the campaign because Charles Krauthammer, in particular, sometimes hammers the candidate on 'The Factor,'" O'Reilly said. He said he balances any critics such as Krauthammer with Trump defenders, and even pointed out he defended Trump himself on Tuesday when guest Tavis Smiley called him a racist.
"We have been very fair – very fair – to Donald Trump on this program, but that does not mean we'll not criticize him or cancel guests who have a dim view of him," O'Reilly said. "I would hope that the Trump campaign would notice how fair we have been and stop the nonsense."
Trump responded on Twitter, calling it "pure fiction" that he was ever scheduled on O'Reilly's show, though, O'Reilly never said Trump had booked and cancelled.
O'Reilly later had on fellow Fox host Greg Gutfeld for his weekly segment and had a little back-and-forth when Gutfeld teased him over his personal friendship with the candidate.
When Gutfeld said Trump was caught as much by surprise at his success in the race as anyone, O'Reilly stepped in.
"I will tell you, that is so wrong," O'Reilly said.
When Gutfeld said O'Reilly had no, proof, O'Reilly said, "Of course I do. I've known this guy for 30 years. I've been to ball games with him."
"There you go, a little personal friendship there, hey, Bill?" Gutfeld said.
O'Reilly didn't come off angry, but stared at Gutfeld for a full five seconds before saying, "I know the guy pretty well, and what you're saying is a bunch of crap."
Gutfeld has been critical of Fox hosts Greta Van Susteren and Sean Hannity for what he believes is easy questioning of Trump.
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