THE CHAIRMAN OF the US Republican party leapt to the defence of presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump today, after the businessman’s latest effort to appeal to a group of voters he’s spent months alienating was met with widespread ridicule.
Trump wrote “Happy #CincoDeMayo! The best taco bowls are made in Trump Tower Grill. I love Hispanics!” alongside a picture of him perched over a full plate, fork in hand.
Much of the attention online has focused on the fact that he appears to have plonked his dinner down on top of a picture of his ex-wife…
Others have pointed out that Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican celebration not a Hispanic one…
While Hillary Clinton – who he’ll likely face in the general election later this year – was amongst those pointing out the irony of the sentiment…
For the record, Cinco de Mayo (5 May) marks the victory of Mexican troops against French forces in 1862. It’s not a wider Hispanic festival.
In his defence
“Honestly, he’s trying,” Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus, who has urged fellow conservatives to back Trump, said today.
I honestly think he understands that building and unifying and growing the party is the only way we’re going to win.
Leading Republican figures – from former presidents (both Bushes) to current elected officials – have either said they won’t back Trump or that they’re not prepared to do so yet.
The nation’s top elected Republican official, House Speaker Paul Ryan, refused to publicly support the presumptive nominee yesterday, saying he had “some work to do” to win over sceptics.
Mitt Romney, the 2012 nominee, is reportedly declining to attend the party’s convention.
Meanwhile, Barack Obama also weighed in on Trump today – after the controversial businessman became the last man standing in the GOP race this week.
“We are in serious times and this is a really serious job,” Obama told reporters at the White House.
This is not entertainment. This is not a reality show.
With reporting from AFP.
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