Trump Dumped Over Kelly 'Menstruation' Jibe

Donald Trump has been dropped from a conservative event after appearing to imply Fox News' Megyn Kelly was angry when she quizzed him at the Republican leaders' debate because she was menstruating.

The outspoken businessman was due to speak at the Red State gathering this weekend alongside other Republican candidates who are vying for the party's presidential nomination.

But on Friday evening he lashed out at Fox News host Ms Kelly, who questioned him at the Ohio forum on his comments calling certain women "fat pigs", "dogs", "slobs" and "disgusting animals".

In an interview with CNN, Mr Trump said: "She gets out and she starts asking me all sorts of ridiculous questions.

"You know, you could see there was blood coming out of her eyes. Blood coming out of her wherever."

Within hours, Red State's Erick Erickson said he was withdrawing Mr Trump's invitation to Saturday's event in Atlanta, Georgia.

He said Mr Trump's comment about the journalist was "a bridge too far".

"It's disrespectful to Megyn Kelly," said Mr Erickson. "It's disrespectful to female journalists.

"I don't want my daughter in the room with Donald Trump."

Carly Fiorina, the only woman seeking the Republican nomination, also sharply criticised the bombastic billionaire.

On Twitter, she wrote: "I stand with @megynkelly" and "Mr. Trump: There. Is. No. Excuse."

Some of the other 17 Republican presidential candidates also turned on Mr Trump.

The Trump campaign issued a defiant statement on Saturday morning, claiming he had been referring to Ms Kelly's nose.

It said: "Mr Trump made Megyn Kelly look really bad - she was a mess with her anger and totally caught off guard.

"Mr Trump said 'blood was coming out of her eyes and whatever' meaning nose … Only a deviant would think anything else."

He called Mr Erickson a "total loser", and pointed out he had previously labelled First Lady Michelle Obama a "Marxist Harpy".

Mr Trump also took credit for the fact that the debate was a ratings smash, pulling in a record 24 million viewers , and cited news articles that said he was the winner.

He tweeted on Saturday: "So many 'politically correct' fools in our country.

"We have to all get back to work and stop wasting time and energy on nonsense!"

Fox owner Rupert Murdoch praised Ms Kelly along with her fellow moderators Bret Baier and Chris Wallace, while chiding Mr Trump.

"Friend Donald has to learn this is public life," the media mogul tweeted.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump's top political adviser, Roger Stone, has left the campaign team, with both sides giving different accounts as to whether he was fired or quit.

A Trump campaign spokesperson told CNN: "Mr Trump fired Roger Stone last night. We have a tremendously successful campaign and Roger wanted to use the campaign for his own personal publicity."

But Mr Stone tweeted: "Sorry @realDonaldTrump didn't fire me - I fired Trump. Diasagree with diversion to food fight with @megynkelly away core issue messages."

While many grassroots Republicans find Mr Trump's shoot-from-the-hip style a refreshing antidote to his rivals, it remains to be seen whether his latest outburst has crossed a line with voters.

He also provoked conservative anger during the Cleveland debate by refusing to pledge his support if someone else wins the Republican nomination, or rule out standing as an independent, which could split the vote and gift the White House the Democrats.

All eyes are on the next opinion polls to see if this will halt Mr Trump's momentum as the improbable Republican front-runner.

The party's next presidential debate is on 16 September.

Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton will debate her rivals for the White House nomination at their party's first forum in Nevada in October.

Analysis: Defiant Donald Refuses To Play The Game