Conservative magazine posts recording of King using derogatory language against immigrants

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,” King says in the audio, apparently referring to peppers he had grown in his home garden.

“Trust me, it’s already 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.

{mosads}”This is actually not supposed to start for another six minutes, is it? But, so we’re just kind of chatting here informally here until things get rolling,” King is heard saying immediately following the “dirt” remarks.

The Iowa congressman’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill on the remarks. King and his campaign previously denied the existence of the audio, daring the magazine to post it in a series of Twitter posts.

“You heard it directly from Jeff King and chose to defend your junk yard dog. You refused to release the tape,” he wrote.

“Just release the full tape. Leftists lies exist without original sources because they are false and manufactured accusations. Weekly Standard is transitioning into ‘Antifa News,’ ” King added in another message.

Except, YOU @StephenfHayes know better. You heard it directly from Jeff King and chose to defend your junk yard dog. You refused to release the tape. We ejected your guy & his HuffPo pack mate. https://t.co/z2QV9aOitL

— Steve King (@SteveKingIA) November 10, 2018

Rachael @RachaelBL Just release the full tape. Leftists lies exist without original sources because they are false and manufactured accusations. Weekly Standard is transitioning into “Antifa News”. https://t.co/oeoQ0c2QJ2

— Steve King (@SteveKingIA) November 10, 2018

King, who narrowly won reelection this week after a surging Democratic bid from J.D. Scholten came within single digits of unseating him, has a history of controversial remarks about race and immigration and has been criticized for arguing that America cannot “rebuild [its] civilization with somebody else’s babies.”

His comments earned him condemnation from Republicans including Sen. Jeff Flake (Ariz.) and Rep. Carlos Curbelo (Fla.) as well as Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.