Donald Trump Suggests Muslim Judge Might Also Be Unfair
GOP candidate says religion could also play factor in bias.
— -- Donald Trump, already facing bi-partisan backlash for his comments suggesting a judge of Mexican descent is unfit to preside over a lawsuit filed against Trump University because of "bias," has gone further, suggesting that a Muslim judge would also not be able to treat him fairly.
On CBS' "Face the Nation," host John Dickerson asked the presumptive Republican nominee, who has said that if elected president he would consider banning Muslims from coming to the U.S., whether a Muslim judge would also be out of the question.
"It's possible, yes. Yeah. That would be possible, absolutely," Trump responded.
This new firestorm began after Trump suggested that Judge Gonzalo Curiel, who presides over one of the lawsuits involving the now-closed Trump University, has an "absolute conflict" because of his Mexican heritage. Curiel is an American citizen and was born in Indiana.
On Sunday, Trump doubled down on his claims.
"I say he's got bias. I want to build a wall," Trump began, referring to the wall he has proposed building along the U.S. border with Mexico. "This judge has treated me very unfairly, he's treated me in a hostile manner. And there's something going on."
On Friday, Trump told CNN that he didn't view his comments as racist, despite the opinions of opponent Hillary Clinton and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, who recently endorsed him.
Trump maintains that he will do "very well" with Hispanic voters, although polls have not supported that contention. In an ABC News/Washington Post poll conducted in April, Trump had a 66 percent disapproval rating among Latino voters.