Sarah Palin tells immigrants they should 'speak American'

It is estimated that 37m Americans speak Spanish at home

Sarah Palin (Getty)

Sarah Palin has said everyone in the US should "speak American".

The former Republican nominee for vice president made the statement in an appearance on CNN show State of the Union with Jake Tapper.

She was commenting on the recent controversy surrounding Donald Trump's remarks about Jeb Bush speaking Spanish, which he has often done during his campaign appearances.

Mr Trump criticised Mr Bush for this, saying he should "speak English", before quoting one of his fans on Twitter who said Mr Bush "speaks Mexican".

Mrs Palin at first praised Mr Bush for his bilingualism, saying: "It’s a benefit of Jeb Bush to be able to be so fluent in Spanish, because we have a large and wonderful Hispanic population that is helping to build America, and that's good."

"That's a great relationship and connection that he has with them through his wife and through his family connection.

"On the other hand, you know, I think we can send a message and say: 'You want to be in America? A, you better be here legally, or you’re out of here. B, when you’re here, let’s speak American.' I mean, that's just, that's – let’s speak English,"

Mrs Palin described one common language which everyone can understand as the "unifying aspect of a nation".

The former Alaska governor said she had studied Spanish and French in high school and perhaps should not have done both subjects because she confused the two.

She went on to comment on tolerance within the Republican party and disagreed with South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, who said last week that the GOP "often appears cold and unwelcoming to minorities."

"I can't think of any Republican that I know who would have that in their heart," Mrs Palin said.

"It is the party that would wish to bring people in together, standing together, putting America first, even in terms of the culture, accepting people's differences and the diverse views and everything else, because we have common sense driving our part."