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Donald Trump Gets Unendorsed, Loses Support From Senator Mark Kirk

By Val Powell
Published on: 01:28 PST, Jun 8, 2016

Donald Trump has created new problems for the GOP after lashing out at Judge Gonzalo Paul Curiel. The presidential nominee’s actions have since led to an unendorsement by Senator Mark Kirk.

The junior Republican Senator from Illinois has pulled his support of the billionaire businessman in his presidential race following his harsh comment against the judge handling a Trump University case.

In a statement published on Occupy Democrats, Senator Kirk called Donald Trump’s attitude toward Judge Curiel “un-American.”

“I have spent my life building bridges and tearing down barriers – not building walls,” Senator Kirk said. “That’s why I find Donald Trump’s belief that an American-born judge of Mexican descent is incapable of fairly presiding his case is not only dead wrong, it is un-American.”

He further said that as the campaign progressed, he was hoping to hear messages that would “reflect a campaign that was inclusive, thoughtful and principled.” The senator claimed that although he opposes “the Democratic nominee,” the “racist” statements made by Donald Trump have prevented him from extending his support.

“While I oppose the Democratic nominee, Donald Trump’s latest statements, in context with past attacks on Hispanics, women and the disabled like me, make it certain that I cannot and will not support my party’s nominee for President regardless of the political impact on my candidacy or the Republican Party,” said Senator Kirk.

The issued statement was not the only thing that the Senator had to say about the real estate mogul. He even went to the latter’s turf, social media, to attack Donald Trump.

On his Twitter account, Senator Kirk said that the former Apprentice host is unfit to become commander-in-chief.

The un-endorsement made by Senator Kirk came several hours after Senator Lindsey Graham, who is also a Republican, called on the party to withdraw support from Donald Trump. The senator from South Carolina has urged those who have endorsed Donald Trump to jump ship in the wake of his beratement of Judge Curiel.

Speaking to the New York Times, Senator Graham said, “This is the most un-American thing from a politician since Joe McCarthy.”

“If anybody was looking for an off-ramp, this is probably it,” the senator said. “There’ll come a time when the love of country will trump hatred of Hillary.”

Other Republicans have also condemned the actions of Donald Trump. New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte has urged the billionaire to recant his statements, saying they are “offensive and wrong.” Senator Susan Collins of Maine also echoed Senator Ayotte’s statements.

Senator Collins said, “I continue to hope that Mr. Trump will rethink his position and take back those words and show respect for the separation of powers doctrine that is enshrined in our Constitution.”

House Speaker Paul Ryan also had harsh words for the businessman saying that the statements he made are “the textbook definition of a racist comment. On the other hand, Senator Mitchell McConell from Kentucky went on to advise the real estate mogul as he said, “stop attacking…various minority groups…and get on message.”

Nevertheless, amid Senator Kirk’s conclusion that “Donald Trump has not demonstrated the temperament necessary to assume the greatest office in the world,” his opponent has some misgivings on his current position, reported NBC News.

Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth earlier criticized Senator Kirk for keeping mum about the issue on Donald Trump.

Rep Duckworth now asks, “What took so long?”

Judge Curiel, who was born in Indiana, became a subject of the billionaire’s racist attacks on the basis of his Mexican heritage. Donald Trump said that the federal judge would be biased in hearing the Trump University case because he is Mexican.

[Photo by Gabriella Demczuk/Getty Images]

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