Donald Trump for President Backlash: Jorge Ramos Says Trump's Behavior Similar to Dictatorship
The war of words between Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Univision journalist Jorge Ramos continued during the Sunday morning talk shows.
Ramos has been criticized by some members of the media, including conservative pundits, for his approach at Trump's Aug. 25 press conference in Iowa. Although Trump did not call on him to speak, Ramos stood up and addressed Trump about his immigration reform plan. He was briefly removed from the room by security, but was later allowed to ask his questions to the Republican presidential front-runner.
"I never expected that he was going to expel me from the press conference," Ramos told CNN on Sunday morning. "I have been a journalist for 30 years and I have never been rejected or expelled from a press conference."
Ramos explained he traveled to Iowa because Trump has yet to agree to an interview with Univision, or English-language sister network Fusion. The journalist recognized that his opportunity to talk to Trump "was going to be tough" but did not expect the businessman's security to eject him from the press conference. According to Ramos, Trump's demeanor bared similarities to a dictator.
"The important thing is that, what is completely out of line is that a reporter is ejected from a press conference simply for asking a question," Ramos continued. "That's from my point of view completely out of line. And I think it is dangerous for press freedom in this country. I cover many issues in many countries, all around the planet, and this is the kind of thing that you see in dictatorships, but not in the United States of America."
Ramos added that Trump acted in an "authoritative" manner, which should raise alarms for press freedom. Ramos acknowledged Trump's approach toward the media not only affects him, referencing the Republican's response to Fox News host Megyn Kelly and Trump's banning the Des Moines Register from attending a campaign event.
"That is a kind of behavior that I have never seen in the United States... that's something we have to be aware of," said Ramos, reaffirming his right as a journalist to ask questions.
Latin Post contacted the Trump campaign regarding Ramos' latest comments, but a response was not immediately provided. This post will be updated once Trump's campaign responds.
Last Friday, Trump said Ramos "was totally out of line" and was "screaming, and ranting and raving" during the press conference. Trump said Ramos negatively affected the other journalists during the press conference, who he said treated him very fairly.
As Latin Post reported, Trump had called on another journalist that was not Ramos. Trump responded to Ramos as the Univision journalist tried to ask his question.
"You haven't been called," said Trump. "Go back to Univision."
As security was removing him from the room, Ramos can be heard saying, "Don't touch me, sir. Don't touch me. I have the right to ask a question."
Later, Ramos was allowed to re-enter under the condition he would wait until Trump called on him. The journalist agreed and eventually asked Trump about immigration, his use of the term "anchor babies," and the mass deportation plan.
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) condemned Trump's actions last week and agreed that Ramos, as a journalist, has the right to ask questions.
NAHJ President Mekahlo Medina, in a statement, said, "Ramos was simply trying to hold a candidate for president accountable for statements he made about a very important topic to the American people."
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