Donald Trump mocked the physical appearance of fellow Republican US presidential candidate Carly Fiorina in remarks published on Wednesday, saying: “Look at that face. Would anyone vote for that?”
The comments by the billionaire real estate developer published in an article on the website of Rolling Stone magazine were aimed at the only woman in the large field of Republicans vying for their party’s 2016 presidential nomination.
The magazine reported that Mr Trump, leading in the polls among the Republican contenders, made the remarks while watching Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard Co chief executive, on television.
“Can you imagine that, the face of our next president?” Mr Trump is quoted as saying. “I mean, she’s a woman, and I’m not s’posedta say bad things, but really, folks, come on. Are we serious?”
Ms Fiorina, in an interview on Fox News Channel, said she viewed Trump’s remarks as “very serious.”
“Maybe, just maybe, I’m getting under his skin a little bit because I am climbing in the polls,” she said.
The subject did not come up when Mr Trump was interviewed on Fox News by host Sean Hannity, but Mr Trump did express concern about his own looks, noting he had just returned from a trip to Washington.
“I haven’t even looked at a mirror so I hope I’m okay. I hope I look fine,” said Mr Trump.
“You look fine,” said Mr Hannity.
It was not the first time Mr Trump has taunted Ms Fiorina. A month ago he tweeted: “I just realised that if you listen to Carly Fiorina for more than 10 minutes straight, you develop a massive headache. She has zero chance!”
Mr Trump’s remarks were his latest barbs aimed at a woman during the campaign. Last month, Mr Trump criticised Fox News Channel anchor Megyn Kelly during and after a Republican debate.
During the debate, Ms Kelly had asked Mr Trump about comments referring to women as “fat pigs” and slobs. Asked about Ms Kelly in a CNN interview last month, Mr Trump said: “You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes. Blood coming out of her wherever.”
Mr Trump has touted his “great relationships” with women, saying he had hired thousands of women including top-level employees, adding: “I cherish women.”
Reuters