Presidential candidate Cruz defends Trump on immigration

Donald Trump (file)

WASHINGTON — Presidential hopeful Ted Cruz said he stood with Donald Trump on immigration, telling Fox Business News that many of his fellow Republicans who criticized the real estate mogul’s remarks on the topic were “vocal advocates of amnesty.”

“I am proud to stand with Donald Trump,” said Cruz, a U.S. senator from Texas. Trump, who is also running for president as a Republican, has been criticized for saying that many illegal immigrants to the United States are criminals. Other Republicans have called the comments “offensive.”

Celebrity Chef Zakarian backs out of restaurant in Donald Trump’s hotel

Celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian said he will not open his restaurant at the Trump International Hotel in Washington DC, adding to a list of names to cut corporate ties with real estate mogul Donald Trump after his statements on Mexican immigrants.

“The recent statements surrounding Mexican immigrants by Donald Trump do not in any way align with my personal core values,” Zakarian said in an e-mail.

Trump accused Mexico of sending rapists and other criminals to live in the United States, when he announced his bid for the Republican nomination last month.

Zakarian, who runs a string of restaurants including The Lambs Club and the National in New York City, said Zakarian Hospitality employs many immigrants from all over the world.

Zakarian’s restaurant was slated to open in Washington DC’s Federal Post Office building.

Department store Macy’s Inc said it would end its business relationship with Trump, followed by U.S. mattress maker Serta, who said it would not renew its licensing agreement with the Trump Organization.

Trump denies RNC chief chastized him

Donald Trump is pushing back against reports that Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus voiced concerns to him about the billionaire’s tone when talking about illegal immigrants during a Wednesday phone call.

A Republican source familiar with the call told CNN on Wednesday that Priebus expressed his concern to Trump during the call and that they discussed a range of topics.

“Look, I’ve gotta tell you, I spent four years trying to make inroads with the Hispanic community … how we address illegal immigration is very important,” to winning back Hispanics politically, Priebus said at the end of the call, according to the GOP source.

The Washington Post first reported the phone call.

But Trump on Thursday morning called out “totally false reporting” on his call with Priebus, suggesting the RNC chief didn’t suggest toning down his immigration remarks.

“He called me, ten minutes, said I hit a “nerve”, doing well, end!” Trump tweeted.

The RNC did not immediately return calls requesting comment on Trump’s tweet.

But a source said on Wednesday night that Priebus was returning a message from Trump, who sits second in the race for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination, according to recent national polling. The source said Priebus did not initiate the call to chastise the billionaire reality TV star.

“They had a respectful discussion across a wide range of issues including illegal immigration,” Sean Spicer, an RNC spokesman, told CNN.

During Trump’s announcement speech he — now infamously — talked about Mexican illegal immigrants being “rapists “and “criminals.”

In the 2012 presidential election, Mitt Romney won only 27% of the Hispanic vote after using harsh terms during the GOP primary like self-deportation.

After that stinging loss, Priebus commissioned a so-called autopsy to analyze how Republicans could re-capture the White House. The subsequent report said Republicans must change their language and approach in the Hispanic community in order to win over voters.

Corey Lewandowski, Trump’s campaign manager, confirmed the call to CNN.

He said Trump and Priebus spoke, but he could not confirm how long it was or what was discussed.

“It is not unusual for Mr. Trump to have a conversation with Priebus on a fairly regular basis as the leading candidate for the GOP nomination,” Lewandowski said.

He added that while he didn’t know the contents of the conversation, “There’s no question in my mind that Mr. Trump’s fortitude on [immigration] will be unshaken, whether it’s a phone call from Reince Priebus or whether it’s [a business cutting its ties.]”