Trump: Dumping Jackson From $20 Bill Is About “Pure Political Correctness”

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GOP frontrunner Donald Trump says he is against the change to the $20 bill, calling it “pure political correctness”.

Speaking at an NBC News “town hall” event Thursday morning, Trump noted that taking Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the US, off the bill and replacing him with abolitionist Harriet Tubman is unnecessary.

.@RealDonaldTrump speaks out about putting Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill #TrumpTODAY https://t.co/tfeSHQ3ec7

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) April 21, 2016

Co-host Matt Lauer said to Trump “You have so often during this campaign railed against political correctness,” and then asked “Do you see this as a move that is all about political correctness, or is this a move that is simply way overdue?”

“I think Harriet Tubman is fantastic.” Trump prefaced his comments, going on to say “Andrew Jackson had a great history. I think it’s very rough when you take somebody off the bill.”

“I’d love to leave Andrew Jackson, and see if we can maybe come up with another denomination. Maybe the $2 bill or another bill.”

“I don’t like seeing it. Yes, I think it’s pure political correctness. Been on the bill for many, many years. and really represented somebody that’s really was very important to this country. I would love to see another denomination, and that could take place, I think it would be more appropriate.” Trump added.

Critics have suggested that Jackson should be removed from the bill for some time, arguing that he was a slave-holder, and was largely responsible for forcing Native Americans from their land.

@TODAYshow @realDonaldTrump "andrew jackson had a great history.." as a racist? A murderer? Do more homework next time before taking the air
— I Eat Zombiez (@WillisStalemate) April 21, 2016

@TODAYshow @realDonaldTrump Jackson massacred Indians and owned slaves= Great American. That sounds about right.
— Eddie Cane (@LowKeyy757) April 21, 2016

Critics wasted no time in suggesting that Trump was promoting an “unequal” bill for a black woman, and is thus both sexist and racist.

@TODAYshow @realDonaldTrump Trump racist & sexist to the core! He doesn't know what either Tubman or Jackson accomplished. Idiotic response.
— Lynda DBS (@LDBS92) April 21, 2016

@TODAYshow @realDonaldTrump why is he such a racist?
— cliff mcafee (@Cmac412Cliff) April 21, 2016

@DGrant39107133 @TODAYshow @realDonaldTrump I think just because he is racist . He would put Tubman on the 2.00 bill
— cliff mcafee (@Cmac412Cliff) April 21, 2016

@TODAYshow @meetthepress @realDonaldTrump
Stop giving this racist airtime. Shame on you. Never watching your sorry ass show again.@nbc
— Erika Was (@erikawas) April 21, 2016

During the same interview, Trump weighed in on North Carolina’s so called ‘bathroom law’, saying that in his opinion, trans-gender people should be able to use whatever bathroom they like.

“Leave it the way it is. There have been very few complaints the way it is. People go, they use the bathroom that they feel is appropriate, there has been so little trouble,” he said.

If @Caitlyn_Jenner walked into Trump Tower, what bathroom would @RealDonaldTrump suggest she use? #TrumpTODAY https://t.co/E6jLyif6ls
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) April 21, 2016

“So if Caitlyn Jenner were to walk into Trump Tower and want to use the bathroom, you’d be fine with her using any bathroom she chooses?” asked Lauer.

“That is correct,” Trump responded, adding that to make a law designating new separate bathrooms “would be discriminatory in a certain way.”

Trump also said that he is in favour of raising taxes for the rich.

Media observers responded to Trump’s comments by declaring he has now gone into “full-on general election mode” following the New York Primary victory.