Megyn Kelly praised by Michael Moore for 'frightening' Donald Trump into dropping out of Republican debate

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Michael Moore and Megyn Kelly formed the alliance no-one could have predicted on Tuesday evening after Moore showered Kelly with praise for "frightening" Donald Trump.

Moore returned to Fox screens on The Kelly File six years after his appearance to discuss his 2009 documentary Capitalism: A Love Story. This time, Moore seemed more enthusiastic about his host, even declaring: "God bless you Megyn Kelly!"

His appearance came just after Trump dropped out of the Iowa Republican debate, reportedly after Fox refused to bow to his demands that Kelly be removed as a moderator.

The left-wing film-maker and Fox News’ most high-profile conservative host were agreeable on camera, with Moore clearly impressed by the considerable sway Kelly appears to have within the network. ​

Moore was on the show to discuss his new documentary Where to Invade Next, but was more determined to highlight that Kelly was the real story of the day, telling the presenter:

“I feel bad for you. You’re being attacked this way. What’s he afraid of? I’m sitting here, I don’t feel any fear. Donald, come sit beside me, I’ll hold your hand- she’s fine!”

As Kelly repeatedly tried to change the subject, he continued: “You just didn’t deserve to be treated this way. You have done something that Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Rubio, Cruz, none of them have been able to do, which is to essentially frighten him. Everybody’s tried to do this for months and you did it!”

After making a number of jokes about having dinner with Kelly, Moore continued to praise her on his Twitter feed by thanking her for letting Fox viewers “see who I really am”.

Trump was heavily criticised for the derogatory comments he made about Kelly after she challenged him about his attitude towards women in the first Republican debate. In a press conference before announcing his boycott, Trump criticised Kelly as a “lightweight” and a “third-rate reporter”.

Kelly is a popular figure among Fox viewers and her programme The Kelly File is the second most-watched show on the network.

Trump's campaign released a typically hyperbolic statement announcing his boycott overnight. “Unlike the very stupid, highly incompetent people running our country, Mr Trump knows when to walk away,” the statement said. “Fox News think they can toy with him, but Mr Trump doesn’t play games.”

Fox responded with a defiant reposte accusing Trump of “viciously attacking” Kelly in August. “Capitulating to politicians’ ultimatums about a debate moderator violates all journalistic standards, as do threats, including the one levelled by Trump’s campaign manager Corey Lewandowski toward Megyn Kelly," the statement added.