Conservative policy magazine The Weekly Standard on Saturday posted audio of Iowa Rep. Steve King (R) using derogatory language to apparently refer to Mexican immigrants at a campaign event after King and his campaign denied the comments were made.
In the audio, the Iowa congressman can be heard joking with a constituent about importing "dirt" from Mexico, which appears to be a derogatory reference to immigrants coming from Mexico and other Central American countries through the U.S.'s southern border.
"I guess I'm going to have to go get some dirt from Mexico to grow the next batch [of jalapeño peppers,]" King says in the audio, while apparently referring to peppers he had grown in his home garden.
"Trust me, it's on its way," a female supporter responds, laughing.
"Well, yeah, there's plenty of dirt. And it's coming from the west coast, too," King joked. "And a lot of other places, besides. This is the most dirt we've ever seen."
After making the remarks, the Standard notes that King reportedly became nervous upon realizing that a reporter may have heard the remarks, and changed the subject.
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