In the interview in his Trump Tower office on a number of issues, Trump repeated talked about the “respect” he has for women, how he has a proven track record for hiring them — and that he didn’t think Dowd was serious when she asked that question about abortion.

“I thought she was sort of kidding,” he said. “The answer is ‘no.'”

Then he added, “I respect Maureen Dowd. I think she is a great writer.”