MSNBC's Joy-Ann Reid Gets Triggered By Latino Trump Supporter's Use Of The Term 'Illegals'

“I think this is important, too, though: When it comes to the bedrock principles, I don't disagree with him at all, and those are twofold: Number one, we have to secure our border. Our southern border has not be secured for decades.”

“Number two: There can be no citizenship for illegals,” the guest added. “You can not reward criminality with citizenship, and that is a stark difference with Hillary Clinton.”

"I'm going to stop you right there,” Reid interrupted. “You are Hispanic, Steve. Are you comfortable with that term 'illegals?' That is a pejorative to a lot of people. Why do you use that term?”

"You know why, Joy; because words matter," Cortes replied. "Yeah, they do," Reid snarled.

Cortes then stated: “If you do something that is against the law, it's illegal. If you go into a store and you shoplift, you're not an undocumented holder of a good, you're a thief. If you come to the United States against the immigration laws, you're not undocumented, you're illegal.”

Attempting to discredit his argument, Reid asked: “Do you consider a child who was brought into this country, the people who were eligible for DACA (the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals law) and who were children when they came here, you would label that person essentially the equivalent of a shoplifter or thief?”

“No,” Cortes responded, “because they had no choice in the matter.”

“That's what you said,” Reid asserted.

“No, I did not, I did not say that at all,” the guest countered. “A shoplifter has a choice. An illegal alien has a choice. A child did not have a choice.”

“I think it's fascinating that you as a person of color would use that term,” the host noted before charging thatTrump uses “conservative Hispanics as props.”

“They essentially said they felt used, that they went and sat in front of Donald Trump; he told them one thing, and then he went out last night and did something completely different,” Reid asserted.

In another attempt to elicit a negative comment, the host quoted Cortes as saying: "You said that you didn't agree with all the things he said last night. Point out two or three of the things that you did not like.”

"Joy, listen,” Cortes replied. “I would have a softer tone on illegals.”

“Can you do me a favor?” Reid then asked. “Steve, just while you're talking to me, can you not use that terminology?"