Story highlights Donald Trump stood by remarks he made Friday criticizing Fox News debate moderator Megyn Kelly

The real estate mogul claimed in an interview Sunday that he did not mean to imply that Kelly was menstruating

Republicans across the primary field mostly condemned Trump's comments

(CNN) Presidential candidate Donald Trump defended himself Sunday from the fierce backlash he's received for criticizing Fox News debate moderator Megyn Kelly, insisting he said nothing wrong and that he values women.

"I cherish women," the real estate mogul told CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union," adding that he did not mean to imply that Kelly asked him sharp questions during the debate because she was menstruating.

"Who would say that?" Trump said Sunday. "Do you think I'd make a statement like that? Who would make a statement like that? Only a sick person would even think about that."

The extraordinary exchange with Tapper showed how quickly Trump has shifted from a frontrunner who seemingly defied the laws of politics to the public face of a campaign in turmoil.

"You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes," Trump said during an interview with CNN's Don Lemon on Friday night. "Blood coming out of her wherever."

Read More