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Bronx BP Unloads On Trump’s Yankee Stadium Visit, Calling Out Bombers For Inviting A “White Supremacist”
By
David Cruz
Published Jul 25, 2020
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Office of the Bronx Borough President
By
David Cruz
Published Jul 25, 2020
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President Donald Trump's first-ever visit to the Bronx as commander-in-chief next month, where he's expected to throw the first pitch at a Yankees game, is being met with sharp ire from the Borough President, who unloaded a gut-punching critique that called out the Bronx Bombers.
An incensed Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.--who is expected to retire from politics in a year and a half--released a scathing statement over the Yankees decision to invite Trump, whom Diaz called a "white supremacist" that's to be blamed for the current mood of the country and his response to the COVID-19 pandemic that's been widely panned.
"Many local workers have lost their jobs – including those small businesses right next door to Yankee Stadium. Roughly 150,000 Americans, including nearly 4,000 Bronxites, have died due to COVID-19," said Diaz. "The Yankees would be better served by honoring them and their families rather than a president whose bluster and incompetence utterly failed to restrain the pandemic."
Diaz also took a shot at the hypocrisy displayed by the Bronx Bombers organization. Ahead of its season, Diaz pointed out that the Yankees had publicly expressed support for the Black Lives Matter movement in a June 8th statement. In its first game of the season against defending World Series champs Washington Nationals, Yankee players took a knee in solidarity of the BLM movement that have lead to nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd.
"By inviting President Trump to throw out the first pitch, they are blatantly demonstrating that their pronouncements are cynical and devoid of genuine meaning," said Diaz. "Perhaps, in fact, the words 'Black Lives Matter' should now also be painted on the street outside of Yankee Stadium, the same as Trump Tower."
It was an unusually passionate statement by Diaz, a former candidate for New York City mayor who announced earlier this year that he will be retiring from politics, freeing him from the trappings of politicians being careful in their words. Diaz had a cordial relationship with Trump before becoming president as the two were on hand for the opening of the Trump Links Golf Course in the Ferry Point section of the Bronx. That relationship fizzled well before Trump became president, with Diaz, at one point, calling him crazy.
A rally is now scheduled outside the stadium on August 15th, the day of Trump's visit.
"Bronxites in particular have had to deal with the rotten fruits of his discriminatory practices, bearing cuts to essential programs and services while promoting unjust and cruel immigration policies, most recently his catastrophic national mismanagement of the COVID-19 crisis," said Diaz. "That the Bronx Bombers would see fit to invite Donald Trump to our great borough, to throw out the first pitch, is a resounding slap in the face to Bronxities and loyal Yankees fans who will always root for their home team!"
The Yankees did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tagged
Yankees
president donald trump
David Cruz
David is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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