Watch LIVE
Sarah Palin took a swing at Glenn Beck Friday night, indirectly going after the radio host for visiting the Southern U.S. border in 2014 to deliver tractor-trailers full of food, water, teddy bears and soccer balls to underage refugees.
Palin, a top surrogate for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, made her comments on illegal immigration at a Wisconsin Republican Party fundraiser ahead of Tuesday's primary. She contended that other candidates "didn't want to talk about it," but Trump "made them."
"Now because he beat the media on that issue. ... But knowing that Trump won on that issue it should empower you to go ahead and ask the candidates," Palin said. "'What the heck are you thinking candidates. What are you thinking when you're going ahead and asking for more illegal immigrants?' Even illegal immigrants. Welcoming them!"
"Even inducing them and seducing them with gift baskets," she continued. "'Come on over the border and here's a gift basket of teddy bears and soccer balls.' What are you thinking? It's just inviting more."
When Beck visited the border in 2014, Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) joined him. Beck has been a top surrogate for Cruz in the 2016 election cycle.
“Through no fault of their own, they are caught in political crossfire,” Beck had said of the children when he explained why he was doing what he was doing. “And while we continue to put pressure on Washington and change its course of lawlessness, we must also help. It is not either, or. It is both. We have to be active in the political game, and we must open our hearts.”
Palin said in her speech that candidates can "say anything they want to about immigration and amnesty," but "actions scream so much louder than a politician's words" — likely a jab at Cruz's participation in the border event.
Palin's speech was not well received at the Wisconsin dinner, according to reporters who watched.
"At Milwaukee County GOP dinner, probably the quietest room I’ve ever heard for Sarah Palin speech," the Washington Examiner's Byron York noted.
"After Milwaukee crowd was unimpressed with Sarah Palin's disjointed speech for Trump," NBC News correspondent Chris Jansing tweeted.
BuzzFeed reporter Rosie Gray wrote on Twitter that the "whole thing was awkward."
"How do you know Palin has faded?" the Washington Post's Phillip Rucker asked. "8 mins into her speech at GOP dinner and no applause yet. Some eye rolls and phone checking tho."
The relationship between Palin and Beck has soured in recent months, with both conservative personalties exchanging words. In February, Beck said it was "incredible" what Palin "will stoop to" in support of Trump.
—
Follow the author of this story on Twitter and Facebook:
