It took months, but a Republican candidate for president finally got the best of Donald Trump.
During Wednesday night’s presidential debate on CNN, moderator Jake Tapper asked former business executive Carly Fiorina to respond to Trump’s comments about her in a recent Rolling Stone profile, in which he seemed to insult her physical appearance. “Look at that face!” Trump is quoted as saying. “Would anyone vote for that?”
The remarks were widely decried as sexist, but Trump insisted he wasn’t actually talking about Fiorina’s looks. “Look, I’m talking about her persona,” he said.
On the debate stage, Fiorina took the high road — not directly addressing the comments, but still offering up what was probably the sickest burn of the night.
“I think women all over this country heard very clearly what Mr. Trump said,” she deadpanned.
The crowd erupted into applause and Trump, apparently realizing he had been burned, tried to smooth over the situation. “I think she’s got a beautiful face and I think she’s a beautiful woman,” he said.
Hillary Clinton, the only other woman running for president, responded promptly on Twitter.
.@realdonaldtrump should stop complimenting women and start respecting them. #GOPdebate
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 17, 2015