Donald Trump has reportedly advised his top campaign surrogates to channel his criticism of U.S. District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel in their own media appearances, despite the significant blowback he’s already received for suggesting Curiel recuse himself from the case because he’s “Mexican.”
Bloomberg News quoted sources as saying that during a conference call Monday, Trump pushed prominent supporters like former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown and Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to defend his message about Curiel’s heritage and whether it makes him incapable of handling the Trump University case impartially.
“We will overcome,” the presumptive Republican presidential nominee reportedly said. “I’ve always won and I’m going to continue to win. And that’s the way it is.”
Trump also told participants on the call to ignore a memo previously sent to surrogates by a member of his staff that advised them to avoid discussing pending litigation against Trump University in media appearances.
“Take that order and throw it the hell out,” he reportedly said, adding, “Are there any other stupid letters that were sent to you folks?”
“That’s one of the reasons I want to have this call, because you guys are getting sometimes stupid information from people that aren’t so smart,” Trump told Brewer, Brown and others.
The memo that now contradicts Trump’s own request of his surrogates reportedly told them they’re “not authorized to discuss matters concerning the Trump Organization, including corporate news such as the Trump University case.”
Three of Trump’s top campaign staffers — spokeswoman Hope Hicks, campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and aide Rick Gates — were included on the email, which was later obtained by Bloomberg News.
During the course of the phone call, Trump was also quoted as saying members of the media who’ve questioned him about his attacks on Curiel “are the racists.”
“The people asking the questions — those are the racists,” the billionaire told his supporters. “I would go at them. I’d let them have it.”
“It was a very positive call to discuss overall messaging and more importantly to thank surrogates for their incredible support throughout the primaries as they come to an end,” Trump campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks told the Washington Examiner.
