Lawyers attacking President Donald Trump’s harsh immigration policy are demanding unaired tapes from ‘The Apprentice,’ hoping the former reality TV star’s off-the-camera comments contain racial slurs.
NBC News reports that Lawyers for Civil Rights—which sued Trump in February—has issued subpoenas to MGM Holdings, Inc. and Trump Productions LLC. The subpoenas seek ‘any footage’ shot during production of ‘The Apprentice’ which might show the president using “racial and/or ethnic slurs.
Lawyers for Civil Rights also want access to clips in which Trump “makes remarks concerning race, nationality and/or ethnic background.”
According to NBC, former White House staffer and ex-reality-TV star Omarosa Manigault Newman claims such tapes do exist. Without offering any evidence for his allegations, Newman wrote in his book “Unhinged” that Trump was recorded on the set of ‘The Apprentice’ suing the n-word.
Trump has so far denied Newman’s claims, saying the show’s producer told him “there are NO TAPES of the Apprentice where I used such a terrible and disgusting word as attributed by Wacky and Deranged Omarosa.”
.@MarkBurnettTV called to say that there are NO TAPES of the Apprentice where I used such a terrible and disgusting word as attributed by Wacky and Deranged Omarosa. I don’t have that word in my vocabulary, and never have. She made it up. Look at her MANY recent quotes saying….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 14, 2018
“I don’t have that word in my vocabulary, and never have,” Trump tweeted.
The case field by Lawyers for Civil Rights in a Boston federal court centers on President Trump’s decision to end temporary protected status (TPS) for a class of migrants from Haiti, El Salvador and Honduras. TPS, writes NBC, provides ‘safe havens for people from countries experiencing armed conflicts, natural disasters and other challenges.’
The administration’s revocation of TPS for Central American migrants angered many immigration advocates, who say their clients have been legally living in the United States for decades—in many cases raising children and building businesses.
Source countries, including Honduras, have also said they’re ‘unprepared’ to process an influx of thousands of deportees.
Lawyers for Civil Rights says the administration’s rescission of TPS is rooted in racial animosity and that footage of Trump using ethnic slurs could serve as evidence. They’ve already cited derogatory remarks the president has made in office and on the campaign trail.
“Access to these videotapes will help further demonstrate that Defendant Trump holds racially biased views that impact his policy and decision making,” attorney Oren Nimni said.
The subpoenas would encompass video footage along with ‘any relevant outtakes, audio clips and transcripts made during production of the show.’
While President Trump has tried to have the case dismissed several times, a federal judge trashed the last attempt at dismissal in July.
‘The Apprentice’ has posed some trouble for President Trump in the past. Former contestant Summer Zervos and her attorneys have been seeking footage from MGM, too. Zervos accuses President Trump of unwanted kissing, groping and harassment—accusations that were met with scorn by Trump, who called Zervos a “liar.”
It’s unclear whether MGM turned over any requested footage to Zervos and her legal team.
Sources
Lawyers seek ‘Apprentice’ tapes in Trump immigration suit for evidence of racism
Lawyers seek unaired ‘Apprentice’ tapes in Trump immigration lawsuit
Trump’s legal team accuses Summer Zervos of trying to ‘harass’ president
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