Megyn Kelly, Donald Trump Feud: Journalist won’t apologize to Trump, reportedly received death threats

Megyn Kelly's defense of her journalistic standards has prompted Donald Trump supporters to send her death threats.

According to Gabriel Sherman of New York magazine, Kelly's refusal to apologize for calling Trump out on derogatory comments made about women has left the network in a tough position: either side with star anchor and host of the eponymous "The Kelly File," or continue providing a platform for Trump, the bombastic real estate mogul credited with drawing in a majority of Fox's record-breaking 24 million viewers for last week's GOP presidential debate.

While Fox News President Roger Ailes has to tread lightly in appeasing both sides, Sherman says some right-leaning viewers aren't waiting for Kelly and Trump to break bread.

"But that process meant that Fox has had to mute its defense of Kelly, who is now watching uneasily as the Fox audience turns on her," Sherman wrote. "According to one high-level source, Kelly has told Fox producers that she's been getting death threats from Trump supporters." Sherman went on to say Fox management has been "paralyzed" by the volume of pro-Trump emails they've received.

Trump went on a cable news network roundabout over the weekend, touting his performance during the debate while diminishing Kelly's role at one of three moderators. In speaking with CNN's Don Lemon last Friday, Trump said "You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her - wherever."

The comment - which many interpreted as a lewd reference toward menstruation - was immediately repudiated by fellow Republican candidates. Ailes sidestepped the controversy by saying that he was "extremely proud of all moderators."

For her part, Kelly broke her silence Monday night.

"Apparently Mr. Trump thought the question was unfair and I was attacking him. I felt he was asked a tough but fair question. We agree to disagree," Kelly said. "Trump, who is the front-runner, will not apologize. And I will not apologize for doing good journalism. So I'll continue doing my job without fear or favor."

By the time Kelly's show aired, Ailes and Trump had already made amends. Ailes praised his host's contributions to the network.

"I again expressed my confidence in Megyn Kelly. She is a brilliant journalist and I support her 100 percent," Ailes said in a statement.