WASHINGTON _ Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump didn't know moderator Lester Holt's political affiliation before labeling him a Democrat earlier this month, Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said Monday.
Bloomberg Politics' co-managing editor Mark Halperin repeatedly pressed Conway on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" Monday, questioning why Trump called the NBC anchor a Democrat if he didn't know. Holt has registered as a Republican in New York since 2003.
"I don't think he knew what Lester Holt's registration was," Conway said. "A lie would mean he knew the man's party registration."
Conway also told the panel that the campaign got to object to certain moderators.
The Commission on Presidential Debates does not consult the campaigns when selecting debate moderators, according to its website.
Conway also questioned the objectivity of reporters who cover the presidential candidates, saying they are largely negative about Trump on social media.
"These are not profiles in courage, and this is not journalism," she said of some of the reporters' Twitter feeds. "Excuse the Trump campaign if we don't feel like we can get a fair shake from certain people."
Conway didn't mention any reporters by name.
