Trump tells surrogates to increase criticism of judge, journalists
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."
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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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