Sen. Tim Scott Calls Trump’s Judge Comments ‘Racially Toxic,’ Not Racist

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., speaks during a rally for Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
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While Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) was deeply troubled by Donald Trump’s attacks against U.S. District Gonzalo Curiel — who Trump has repeatedly dismissed as “Mexican” and biased against him — Scott plans to continue supporting Trump and says the GOP’s presidential nominee has not crossed a line that would cause him to revoke his endorsement.

“His comments were certainly racially toxic. I don’t know the intent of his heart so I’m not going to call them racist comments but certainly they are racially toxic,” Scott told reporters on Capitol Hill Tuesday. “The fact of the matter is we have to find a way to unite this country around one goal, one mission with everyone in the same boat.”

Scott signaled there was a line that Trump could cross where he would revoke his endorsement, but “we’re not there yet.”

“I am supporting the Republican brand. I am supporting Donald Trump. I’m going to speak out when I think he does things that are inconsistent with the best interest of the country,” Scott said.

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