He did it as a foil to change the subject from Flynn and Russia, because he likes it, and because

he can only survive in campaign mode.

The question was easily answerable and prefaced with a huge disclaimer that it wasn't about him. He didn't listen and didn't care.

I know the bots are prolly calling for his head now, but Shep Smith is a pretty reasonable guy and he was thoroughly disgusted by this.

He is proving to be a true crazy authoritarian with no intentions of turning down the rhetoric. And his opposition is also loaded for bear. As a nation, we're fucked.