In The Arena Donald Trump Lied to Us He spoke reasonable words to my group in private, then turned to hate speech in public.

Antonio Tijerino is president and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation.

As I protested Thursday afternoon in front of the Old Post Office Pavilion on Pennsylvania Ave in Washington D.C.—the building Donald Trump is turning into a hotel a few blocks away from another historical building he wants to take over, the White House—I thought about a meeting I had with Trump at his headquarters in New York two years ago to discuss my organization’s programs, including the Hispanic Heritage Awards.

Once the meeting was set, I called immigration activists Estuardo Rodriguez and Gaby Pacheco to gather some young DREAMers to crash the meeting and try and change The Donald’s mind on immigration reform and the DREAM Act. I didn’t mention the tactic to his assistant coordinating the meeting, and figured I’d simply sneak the DREAMers in as my associates. We were met with bewildered and not-so-happy faces at the top floor of Trump Tower, but to his credit, Trump waved off his concerned staff and graciously got up from his desk, welcomed us individually, and proceeded to have a civil dialogue about immigration reform and the important role immigrants have historically played in the United States.


For over an hour, Trump listened intently, asked thoughtful questions, and gave us examples of Latino employees he held in high regard. He then asked each of the DREAMers to describe their journeys, which were compelling and mirrored every value each American shares: education, work ethic, community, faith and family. After I summed up the conversation with “immigrants are a value proposition to America,” he stood up, waved his hands in dramatic Donald fashion and exclaimed, “You’ve convinced me!”

It was a great moment, but that’s what entertainers do. They know their audience and give them what they want.

And now, this shameless opportunist is giving a very different audience what they want to hear—hate speech. An audience that has made him a cultural icon, a viable candidate for president and what is most worrisome, an audience that is responding favorably to his message. The no-filter, in-your-face, celebrity billionaire is now in second place behind Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker in Iowa according to a Quinnipiac University survey and in New Hampshire according to a CNN-WMUR poll. Apology from Trump? No way.

Yesterday, in defense of his now-infamous statement on Mexicans, Trump said he was simply “defending the people of the United States.” I applaud Univision for being the first to send a message to Trump by breaking off their relationship with the Miss Universe Organization. Then NBC, Macy’s, NASCAR and others including this afternoon my friend Chef Jose Andres sent a message. But the loudest message is being sent by many Americans who have supported Trump’s xenophobic diatribe. And that’s my biggest concern - he continues to pander to an audience that can potentially take his hateful words and turn them into hateful action.

“When Mexico sends its people, they’re sending people that have lots of problems and they’re bringing those problems. They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.” That was Trump talking about Mexicans (let’s face it, Latinos) taking over the country.

“You are raping our women and taking over the country.” That was Dylann Storm Roof, the 21 year-old racist who murdered nine worshippers in cold blood at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Sound familiar?

Hate speech is the gateway to hate action and at some point in his life, Roof heard hate talk. Did he take it seriously? Sounds like he did. His words nourish myths of brown invaders crossing the border with hopes of ruining America like an updated Orson Wells prank. Or in Roof’s case, Black villains. This isn’t simply a case of the PC police attacking a spirited American as Trump-backers Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas, and, yes, Rep. Steve King of Iowa say. (Let’s not forget that King was the reigning champion of ludicrous remarks about immigrants way before Trump when in 2013 he blustered, “They weigh 130 pounds and with calves the size of cantaloupes because they’re hauling 75 pounds of marijuana across the desert.” King is still a Congressman representing a district in America where the majority supports his stances about immigrants.)

Attacks against Hispanics have more than tripled in a year, according to an official report released by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, The Hate Crime Victimization report. The Census-driven study shows an alarming rise in violent anti-Hispanic crime with anti-Hispanic crimes more likely in regions with higher immigration populations and new arrivals. Trump’s words are dangerous not simply offensive and should be treated that way.