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.
Trump: I'm not racist, I have tons of friends who are Mexican pic.twitter.com/OS97b2XpQJ
— Jordan Fabian (@Jordanfabian) June 7, 2016
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."