Donald Trump responds to criticism over racist comments


On Tuesday, Donald Trump responded to critics on both the left and right who have called his comments about Mexican-American judge Gonzalo Curiel "racist." In a statement, Trump said, "It is unfortunate that my comments have been misconstrued as a categorical attack against people of Mexican heritage," adding that he is "friends with and employ[s] thousands of people of Mexican and Hispanic descent."
However, Trump maintained that he is justified in questioning if Curiel, who is presiding over a fraud case concerning Trump University, can give him a fair trial.
Earlier on Tuesday, both House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell condemned Trump's attacks on Hispanics, with Ryan saying Trump's comments were "absolutely unacceptable."
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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
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