Trump Issues What He Says Will Be His Last Statement on Trump U Controversy
Responding to the controversy involving his remarks about the Hispanic judge presiding over the Trump University fraud case, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump issued a lengthy statement Tuesday on Facebook.
Trump has said U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel could not be impartial in the case because of his “Mexican heritage.” Curiel was born and raised in the United States.
In his Facebook statement, the billionaire businessman writes, “It is unfortunate that my comments have been misconstrued as a categorical attack against people of Mexican heritage. I am friends with and employ thousands of people of Mexican and Hispanic descent.”
“The American justice system relies on fair and impartial judges,” he continues. “All judges should be held to that standard. I do not feel that one’s heritage makes them incapable of being impartial, but, based on the rulings that I have received in the Trump University civil case, I feel justified in questioning whether I am receiving a fair trial.”
Defending the university, Trump writes, “Throughout the litigation my attorneys have continually demonstrated that students who participated in Trump University were provided a substantive, valuable education based upon a curriculum developed by professors from Northwestern University, Columbia Business School, Stanford University and other respected institutions.”
Trump points out that after completing the real estate course, Tarla Makaeff, the original plaintiff, completed several surveys in which Trump University was given an “excellent” rating. He goes on to imply that when the attorneys for the students realized Makaeff would not be a good witness for the plaintiffs, they decided to drop her from the case.
Referring to other students involved in the lawsuit, Trump says they also completed surveys, rating the university as “excellent.”
Trump writes that when asked what Trump University could do to improve programs, one student suggested that sandwiches be brought in and the lunch break be expanded to 45 minutes. Another student suggested “more comfortable chairs.”
Continuing, Trump draws attention to the program’s “generous” policy of giving a full refund to students when requested within three days of signing up for a program, or by the end of the first day of a multi-day program, whichever came later.
Citing his position as the presumptive Republican nominee as well as a campaign that has focused on illegal immigration, Trump questions whether a fair trial is possible.
Trump concludes his post by saying, “While this lawsuit should have been dismissed, it is now scheduled for trial in November. I do not intend to comment on this matter any further. With all of the thousands of people who have given the courses such high marks and accolades, we will win this case!” (For more from the author of “Trump Issues What He Says Will Be His Last Statement on Trump U Controversy” please click HERE)
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