In a move that is about six months too late, top Republican officials and donors are warning Donald Trump to stop antagonizing Latinos, lest the party lose votes for years to come.
Trump (R-NY) has received backlash for his comments calling undocumented Mexican immigrants rapists, and for his absurd plan to build a huge wall along the United States/Mexican border that is he somehow going to make Mexico pay for. On top of that, he has also made the news for questioning the impartiality of U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel due solely to the latter’s Mexican heritage. Curiel is the judge presiding over the lawsuits against epic failure of a real estate training program, Trump University.
Now we are worried about alienating Latino voters? It might be a little too late for that. Even Republicans are calling foul. Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) tweeted:
Public Service Announcement:
Saying someone can't do a specific job because of his or her race is the literal definition of "racism."— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 6, 2016
Regardless, Republican party leaders are now backpedaling from the rhetoric as fast as their legs will take them. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) attempted to calm the waters during an interview with “Meet the Press”:
“America is changing. When Ronald Reagan was elected, 84% of the electorate was white… This November, 70% will be. It’s a big mistake for our party to write off Latino Americans. And they’re an important part of the country and soon to be the largest minority group in the country.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) was far less diplomatic when he was asked about Trump’s attacks on the judge:
“Look, the comment about the judge, just was out of left field for my mind…It’s reasoning I don’t relate to, I completely disagree with the thinking behind that.”
So much for that endorsement, eh?
The GOP has reason to be worried about more than just the presidency. Many tea party candidates are up for re-election, and some of them are in tight races. Competitive races in states with high Latino populations like Arizona, Nevada, and Florida threaten to topple the Republican majority Congress.
Even the fundraisers and donors for the GOP have their doubts. One donor commented to CNN that:
“The concern is — do we get to the point that all the money in the world doesn’t matter? We’re obviously not there right now, but stupid s— like this really makes you wonder.”
We have five whole months left until November. This should be a wild ride.
Watch Donald Trump’s interview with Jake Tapper detailing his absurd views on Judge Curiel here:
Feature image via Youtube
