Megyn Kelly Thinks Donald Trump Is ‘Fascinating’

Megyn Kelly’s mysterious get-together Wednesday with her arch-nemesis, Donald Trump, was actually a pitch meeting in which the Fox News star tried to entice the Republican presidential frontrunner into appearing on her prime time special on the Fox Television Network, according to a Fox News statement.

Kelly’s broadcast special, modeled on Barbara Walters’s Most Fascinating People series, is scheduled to air May 23; surely a close encounter with a reality show billionaire who has showered her with insults for the past nine months would attract a big audience.

Thus it’s perfectly understandable that Kelly showed up at Manhattan’s Trump Tower about 11 a.m. Wednesday and met with the thatched-roof real estate mogul for about an hour, leaving the building shortly after noon and climbing into a waiting SUV.

She was said to be planning to reveal the results of the meeting Wednesday night on her Fox News Channel program The Kelly File. It wouldn't have been a shock if Kelly had reported that Trump had agreed to sit down with her for an interview. Nor would it have been surprising if she had revealed that Trump had simply agreed to think about it. Yet on her show, Kelly revealed very little, saying only that Trump was “gracious,” and that their hour-long meeting was “at my request” and “a chance to clear the air.” She didn’t disclose Trump’s decision, if any. “Stay tuned,” she told viewers.

While Trump has, on Twitter and other media platforms, referred to Kelly as a “crazy,” “overrated” television anchor for whom he has no respect, Kelly has gone out of her way to say positive things about the man who, in recent days, has attempted to appear “more presidential,” as he puts it, as the Republican nomination race enters the last laps.

Kelly, for instance, recently told Charlie Rose that being Donald Trump means never having to say you’re sorry.

“Oh God no. He does not have to apologize,” as a requirement for her sitting on camera with him, she told Rose on CBS.

And Kelly told the Associated Press: “I didn’t take it personally and I certainly don’t have anything against him. I find him a very fascinating person to cover.”

A Fox News spokesperson provided the following statement to The Daily Beast: “Fox News Chairman & CEO Roger Ailes has spoken to Donald Trump a few times over the past three months about appearing on a Fox Broadcasting special with Megyn Kelly airing on May 23. Kelly requested a meeting with Mr. Trump, which took place at Trump Tower this morning. The results of that meeting will be revealed on tonight’s Kelly File at 9PM/ET.

“Kelly has acknowledged in recent interviews that Trump is a fascinating person to cover and has electrified the Republican base.”

This copy was amended following Kelly's show Wednesday night.