x
Breaking News
More () »

Geraldo, Erica Rivera talk Trump, love for Cleveland and a house divided

'Let's Be Clear' is a series of transparent discussions with Northeast Ohio's newsmakers.

CLEVELAND — It’s a new way to cover newsmakers. You want transparency, right? Let's be clear, then.

"Let's Be Clear" is all about transparency. WKYC has a clear, mobile newsroom that we're taking across the state over the next few weeks to talk to those making headlines in Ohio. Whether you agree with the guest, disagree, or are a fan of them, we know you have questions for them. 

So you’re going to be the one asking the questions. Write in what you want to know and our Will Ujek will pose it to them… live. You can tweet questions with #3LetsBeClear or leave them on our Facebook page.  

On Thursday, we sat down with Geraldo Rivera and his wife, Erica, who discussed their disagreements over President Donald Trump, what they love about Cleveland and Geraldo's storied career.

You can watch the full interview again above.

The Riveras have been together 18 years and the two have a 13-year-old together, but they explained how they certainly don't agree on everything -- especially Trump.

Geraldo has been an outward supporter of Trump, who he considers a close friend. He says they've known each other for more than 40 years and he spent several weeks working with Trump on "The Celebrity Apprentice." 

"We got very close and a lot of how I feel about him and his presidency is based on a personal relationship," Geraldo said. 

Geraldo said when he does speak with Trump, it's as a friend, but he does try to counsel him on moderation and integration. 

"I think that one of the biggest flaws of the Trump administration has been the failure to embrace racial minorities, particularly with the whole immigration business at the southern border," he said.

Geraldo said he doesn't, however, believe that Trump's immigration policies are  rooted in racism.

"He doesn't have a racist bone in his body," he said.

Erica, however, doesn't agree with the president and his policies.

"I'm pro-choice, I'm pro-women, I don't like all of the lying," she said.  

Geraldo believes that their divided home isn't unique to the rest of the American population.

"I think that what's going on in our family right now is, in many ways, very symptomatic of at least half or more of the United States. We see things differently but lovingly," he said. 

Their advice for other couples disagreeing on politics? Remember that family matters more.

"Our family is a unit and we allow each other the space to disagree on politics," Geraldo said.

When it comes to the growing pool of democratic candidates for the 2020 election, Erica says she likes Sen. Sherrod Brown and Sen. Kamala Harris. Geraldo added that he believes Brown and Harris are the two strongest democrats, but both will have a tough time beating Trump.

"He has just begun. When he zeroes in on someone, any perceived weakness or flaw, he will exploit," Geraldo said, noting Sen. Elizabeth Warren and the controversy over her Native American heritage as an example. 

The Riveras returned to Cleveland because Erica is a Shaker Heights native, who missed the friendly, community nature of Cleveland.

Rivera joined WTAM-1100 last year to host Geraldo in Cleveland, which airs weekdays at 9 a.m. He also continues his television work with Fox News as a correspondent at-large.  

"People here are really smart and hardworking and appreciate what they have. It's not so much that they have their elbows out  like in New York City, where everyone's trying to get ahead," Erica said.

Geraldo fell in love with Cleveland during the 2016 Republican National Convention, when he says former Cleveland police union president Steve Loomis took him out on a boat on Lake Erie.

"I really fell in love with the inland ocean," he said. "...Having said all that, the people have also been great."

Before You Leave, Check This Out