Donald Trump and Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol have been trading barbs, with Kristol recently calling Trump a "roaring jackass." | Getty Kristol on Trump: At least I'm not 'a roaring jackass'

Bill Kristol may be a loser in Donald Trump’s eyes, but at least he’s not “a roaring jackass,” the Weekly Standard editor said Tuesday in response to the presumptive Republican presidential nominee’s verbal attack.

During a news conference inside Trump Tower on Tuesday, Trump argued that he doesn’t refer to some Republicans and conservatives as “losers.”


“I said Bill Kristol is a loser,” Trump explained, before launching into Kristol’s criticism of Trump, such as his ultimately incorrect predictions that Trump would lose certain states in the Republican primary. Kristol also tweeted over the weekend: "There will be an independent candidate--an impressive one, with a strong team and a real chance."

“I didn't say everybody. Many, but I didn't say everybody,” Trump continued. “Bill Kristol is a loser. His magazine is failing, as you know. It's gonna be down — I don't think it even survives,” Trump said. “He's getting some free publicity, but Bill Kristol, I've been watching this for two years.”

“Do you think maybe he doesn't like me?” Trump asked sarcastically before taking more questions.

Responding on Twitter, Kristol said: “I gather Donald Trump said I'm a loser. I've won some and I've lost some, but one thing I've always tried not to be is a roaring jackass.”

Hours earlier, Kristol retweeted Trump, who announced that “many great things” were happening Tuesday, including his news conference.

“I hope @realDonaldTrump’s nervousness about an independent candidacy doesn’t affect his composure. #Concerned,” he wrote.