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Donald Trump: Latest GOP Leader to Condemn McCrory

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Donald Trump: Latest GOP Leader to Condemn McCrory

Trump: North Carolina is ‘paying a big price’ with ‘economic punishment’

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory has promised he’d support Donald Trump if he’s the Republican nominee. But for The Donald, the feeling may not be mutual. 

In an appearance on NBC’s Today Show, Trump offered sharp criticism of House Bill 2, becoming the latest Republican Party leader to condemn McCrory’s sweeping anti-LGBT law in North Carolina.

When asked about McCrory’s discrimination law, Trump replied“They are paying a big price and there are a lot of problems.”

“People use the bathroom that they feel is appropriate,” Trump continued. “There has been so little trouble, and the problem with what happened in North Carolina is the strife and the economic punishment they are taking.”

Watch the video clip here.

 “When Donald Trump thinks you’ve gone too far, you clearly have a problem,” said DGA Communications Director Jared Leopold.“While Pat McCrory has cozied up to Trump’s nomination, The Donald gave McCrory the cold shoulder today. Pat McCrory is increasingly a man on an island, with fellow Republicans running away from his job-killing discrimination bill.” 

Trump now joins a growing chorus of Republican Party leaders who have openly opposed HB 2 including Ohio Gov. John Kasich and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. The RGA Chair, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, suddenly canceled plans this week for an event with McCrory in North Carolina, amid the HB2 controversy.

BACKGROUND

Gov. John Kasich on HB2: “I Wouldn’t Have Signed That Law From Everything I Know.” According to Politico, “Ohio Gov. John Kasich said Sunday he probably would not have signed the controversial North Carolina law that prevents transgender people from using public restrooms that correspond to their gender identity and eliminates anti-discrimination protections. ‘Everybody needs to take a deep breath, respect one another, and the minute we start trying to write laws, things become more polarized, they become more complicated,’ Kasich said on CBS’ ‘Face the Nation.’ ‘I wouldn’t have signed that law from everything I know; I haven’t studied it,’ the GOP presidential candidate added.” [Politico, 4/10/16]

In April 2016, Nikki Haley Said She Doesn’t Believe North Carolina’s LGBT Law is Necessary. According to the Washington Post, “While North Carolina faces a mounting backlash over a law prohibiting transgender people from using bathrooms that don’t match the gender they were assigned at birth, the governor of its neighbor to the south says her state doesn’t need such a law. […] ‘I don’t believe it’s necessary,’ Haley, who has been touted as a possible vice presidential candidate, told reporters Thursday.” [Washington Post, 4/7/16

In April 2016, Susana Martinez Canceled Plans to Speak at the North Carolina GOP State Convention. According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, “For about two weeks, the North Carolina Republican Party touted plans by New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez to speak at its state convention next month. On Monday, however, a Martinez spokesman said she won’t be going to the Tar Heel State.” [Santa Fe New Mexican, 4/19/16]

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