Donald Trump shows his colors
Donald Trump held a long and extensive press conference in Iowa today. Univision’s reporter Jorge Ramos stood up to ask Donald Trump some probing questions about his immigration plan.
As Donald Trump called on another reporter, Jorge Ramos insisted on getting Trumps attention. Excuse me, you weren’t called. Sit down,” Trump said. “No you don’t. You haven’t been called. Go back to Univision.” Go back to Univision? Was that not the biggest dog whistle in the press conference?
Trump them appears to signal a security guard. The security guard escorted Jorge Ramos out even as Ramos protested.
After Ramos left the room Trump said Ramos was “obviously a very emotional person.” After some reporters asked Trump about his behavior with Ramos he said he would allow Jorge Ramos to come back in.
When Ramos returned, he pretty much told Donald Trump that his immigration plan was full of empty promises. Trump again claimed that he believes he will win the Latino vote. When Ramos told Trump that a new Univision poll showed otherwise, Trump interrupted. “How much am I suing Univision for right now?” Trump asked. “No, no, no. Do you know the number? You know you are part of the lawsuit. … 500 million.”
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists released the following statement.
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists condemns presidential candidate Donald Trump for allowing Univision journalist Jorge Ramos to be ejected from a news conference for simply asking questions.
“Mr. Ramos was doing what journalists have done for decades – asking questions!,” said Mekahlo Medina, NAHJ President. “Ramos was simply trying to hold a candidate for president accountable for statements he made about a very important topic to the American people. Mr. Trump has avoided Mr. Ramos’ attempts for an interview to reasonably discuss Mr. Trump’s opinions and ideas about immigration and American children born to undocumented immigrants.”
Mr. Trump’s recent attacks on FOX News anchor Megyn Kelly is also unacceptable and disturbing. NAHJ stands with journalists everywhere who are simply working to pursue the truth and hold people in power accountable for their statements and their actions.
NAHJ invites Mr. Trump to answer questions by Mr. Ramos & other Latino journalists at #EIJ15 national conference in Orlando on September 18th.
Donald Trump made a fool of himself. Of course that likely means that his poll numbers will go up with the Republican base.