The antagonistic relationship that Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump has commanded with Spanish-language media hit a breaking point Tuesday night, when he kicked out Jorge Ramos – often considered the most influential man in Latino media – from a press conference, but was later allowed to return after a series of lengthy exchanges. The dismissal of Mr. Ramos inflames tensions rooted in Mr. Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric and unapologetic braggadocio that has, until now, paved the way to the top of the GOP field for the billionaire of real estate fortune and reality television fame.
“Excuse me, sit down, you weren’t called, sit down,” Trump told Ramos as he rose to ask a question out of turn, in which he challenged the plausibility of deporting 11 million undocumented immigrants as was proposed by Trump. No other journalists in the room defended Mr. Ramos and so, for good measure, Mr. Trump added, “Go back to Univision.”
Mr. Trump – perhaps recognizing the magnitude and implications of the outburst – eventually allowed Mr. Ramos to return and ask two questions about the contents of his immigration policy and repeated use of the term “anchor baby.” Mr. Trump defended the term and reiterated his claim that the Mexican government was actively and consciously sending the worst of their society to the United States. Still, Mr. Trump continued, he enjoys great popularity among the Latino population, though his rationale appeared imprecise.
“Do you know how many Latinos work for me? Do you know how many Hispanics are working for me? They love me,” Trump said, implying that employees in the United States “love” their bosses.
Mr. Ramos, however, conceded publicly for the first time that he recognized the existence of lawbreakers among the undocumented population who indeed need to be deported. But for all else that transpired Tuesday evening, this admission seemed to fall under the radar, for better or for worse.
Recent Comments