Fox tells Trump: Kelly will be debate moderator

Fox News is not bowing to Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump’s calls to remove Megyn Kelly as host of the next GOP debate. 

Trump tweeted Saturday that the Fox News host “should not be allowed to be a moderator of the next debate” because of a “conflict of interest.”

Based on @MegynKelly‘s conflict of interest and bias she should not be allowed to be a moderator of the next debate.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 23, 2016

Fox responded to the calls for Kelly’s removal hours later in a statement provided to The Hill.  

{mosads}“Megyn Kelly has no conflict of interest,” Fox said in the statement. “Donald Trump is just trying to build up the audience for Thursday’s debate, for which we thank him.” 

Trump has continually attacked Kelly since early August, when the two clashed during a Fox News debate after Trump accused Kelly of asking unfair questions.  

Fox hosts the next GOP debate Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa, just days before the Iowa caucuses.

–Updated at 7:54 p.m.