Donald Trump has a problem appealing to female voters.
So, when asked this week by a Nevada television station about some of his disparaging remarks, he had a terse reply.
"A lot of that was done for the purpose of entertainment," Trump said. "There's nobody that has more respect for women than I do."
Following last week's presidential debate, in which Hillary Clinton castigated Trump for his comments about a Miss Universe winner whom he called "Miss Piggy" after she gained weight and "Miss Housekeeping" for her Latina roots, his support among women has declined, according to polls.
An NBC News/Survey Monkey poll taken after the debate showed 27 percent of likely female voters said the debate made them think worse of Trump. About 30 percent said their opinion of Clinton had improved.
Throughout the campaign, Trump's poll numbers among women have been far from stellar. Clinton and her Democratic allies have hammered him in television and radio ads for his caustic comments that date back to the 1980s.
Last year, after Trump faced tough debate questions from Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly, he speculated that it was because she was menstruating.
Trump, who has also referred to actress Rosie O'Donnell as a "pig," defended himself during the debate with Clinton.
"Hillary is hitting me with tremendous commercials. Some of it I said in entertainment, some of it said to somebody who has been very vicious to me, Rosie O'Donnell," Trump said. "I said very tough things to her and I think everybody would agree she deserves it and nobody feels sorry for her."
