President Donald Trump on Wednesday praised Republican candidate for governor Ron DeSantis as "extraordinary" after it was revealed that the gubernatorial candidate suggested that this African-American opponent was a "monkey."
During a pool spray in the Cabinet Room, CNN's Jim Acosta told Trump that DeSantis had used the phrase "monkey this up" when talking about Democratic candidate Andrew Gillum.
"He's said it's not time to monkey around with the economy down in Florida," Acosta explained to the president.
"Yeah, I didn't hear that, Jim," Trump replied. "I've been actually working on the deal with Canada."
"Is it racist?" Acosta pressed.
But Trump ignored the question.
"Ron DeSantis is extraordinary," Trump said. "Harvard, Yale. Brilliant. Ran an incredible campaign."
