Jeffrey Lord, a fierce supporter of Donald Trump, argues that House Speaker Paul Ryan, who is the top elected Republican, is "racist" for criticizing Trump's characterization of a federal judge as "Mexican." For good measure, Lord also said "the Republican establishment" and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell were racists.
Ryan's offense, in Lord's view, was refusing to defend Trump's argument that the judge overseeing the lawsuits against Trump University was biased because he was "Mexican." U.S. District Judge Curiel was born in Indiana of immigrant parents.
"Claiming a person can't do their job because of their race is sort of like the textbook definition of a racist comment," Ryan said told reporters. "I think that should be absolutely disavowed."
Lord, who is paid by CNN to appear on its shows to defend Trump, made his arguments agains Ryan and other GOP leaders in a discussion with CNN host Carol Costello Monday.
"Let me make no bones about it," Lord said in CNN Tuesday. "Speaker Ryan is wrong and Speaker Ryan has apparently switched position and is now supporting identity politics, which is racist. I am astonished."
"So you're accusing Paul Ryan of Racism," Costello asked.
"I am accusing anybody, anybody who believes in identity politics, which he apparently now does, of playing the race card," Lord replied. "The Republican establish is playing this. Sen. McConnell is playing this. These people have run and hid and borrowed the Democratic agenda of playing the race card. It is wrong."
"Do you know have ironic that is that you are calling all of those particular Republicans racists?" Costello asked.
"I am saying it is identity politics, which is racist and they should reject it out of hand," Lord said.
Lord's comments were controversial enough to earn him trending status on Twitter Monday morning.
See also: Chris Christie Defends Donald Trump's 'Mexican' Judge Attacks: He's 'Not A Racist'
See also: Newt Gingrich Turns On Donald Trump: Judge Attack 'Worst Mistake' & 'Inexcusable'
