Reports emerge of 'off the record' NYT tape where Trump softens immigration stance

BuzzFeed News reported that Trump had told The New York Times editorial board in an off-the-record meeting that his hardline immigration proposals, including the border wall and mass deportations, were flexible and possibly just a starting point for negotiation. The leak fueled demands from rivals Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio for the release of the audio tape, which Trump refused to authorize. The incident suggested a cynical duplicity: feeding red meat to his base while assuring elites in private that it was all an act.

"Everything is negotiable." — Reported sentiment expressed to the NYT editorial board regarding his immigration wall