Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly joined Donald Trump Monday night in calling for U.S. District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel to recuse himself from a civil fraud case involving Trump University.
O’Reilly, who has rarely criticized the presumptive Republican presidential nominee on his program, said Curiel should step down from presiding over the case to “eliminate any doubt as to the motivation in court rulings.”
“Mr. Trump is correct to be indignant and defend himself vigorously,” O’Reilly told his viewers, citing Curiel’s affiliation with the immigrant advocacy group La Raza.
Trump first called on Curiel to recuse himself last week, arguing that his Mexican heritage represents an “inherent conflict of interest” considering Trump has proposed building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The suggestion set off a media firestorm and drew the ire of several top Republicans, who claim Trump is ruining any hope he has of appealing to Hispanic voters in the general election.
O’Reilly also claimed Monday night that the outcome of several pending lawsuits against Trump University will “not likely have much effect” on the general election.
The Fox News personality accused the law firm behind the civil fraud case against Trump’s now-defunct online college of pursuing a “political hit job,” claiming it has paid both former President Bill Clinton and his wife, likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton more than $500,000 for speeches since 2009.
