During a conference call with prominent supporters on Monday, Donald Trump told them to publicly back up remarks he's made against a federal judge's Mexican heritage and to call reporters who ask about it "racist," Bloomberg Politics reports, citing "two supporters who were on the call."
Judge Gonzalo Curiel is presiding over fraud cases involving Trump University, and Trump has said Curiel has a conflict of interest because he is of Mexican ancestry (he was born in Indiana to Mexican immigrant parents) and Trump has proposed building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The sources say Trump told his advocates to question Curiel's credibility, as well as the integrity of reporters. "The people asking the questions — those are the racists," Trump reportedly said. "I would go at 'em." He also reassured the surrogates that "we will overcome. And I've always won and I'm going to continue to win. And that's the way it is."
The sources told Bloomberg Politics that Trump was interrupted at one point by former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R), who told Trump that several high-profile backers were sent an email on Sunday by his campaign asking them to stop discussing the Trump University lawsuit. Trump demanded to know who sent the memo, and directed the supporters on the call to "take that order and throw it the hell out." Trump was told the directive came from Erica Freeman, a staffer who sends information to surrogates, and he replied that he didn't know her. "Are there any other stupid letters that were sent to you folks?" he asked. "That's one of the reasons I want to have this call, because you guys are getting sometimes stupid information from people that aren't so smart."
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Trump's press secretary, Hope Hicks, confirmed to Bloomberg Politics that the call took place, and said it was held for Trump to "thank his supporters and congratulate everyone as the primaries officially come to an end. Many topics were discussed and it was a productive call for all parties."
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