Donald Trump slammed his top rivals for the Republican presidential nomination Tuesday, saying surging candidate Ben Carson “doesn’t have the temperament” to be president.
Trump, speaking on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” said of the retired neurosurgeon as president, “I think Ben just doesn’t have the experience.”
Trump talks about his negotiating skills. “You’re born with it. It’s not his thing,” Trump said of Carson. “He hasn’t got the temperament for it.”
Trump’s comments came as another national poll showed the real estate mogul slipping to second, while Carson was in first. The October 25-29 NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found Carson with 29 percent support to Trump’s 23 percent.
Third in the latest poll was Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., considered on the rise after his debate showing last week.
“I’m not a fan,” Trump said. “I think he’s overrated.”
Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor, also came in for some Trump barbs. Trump said Bush, who has been fading, should drop out of the race. “He doesn’t have a chance,” Trump said.
He discussed his role in reshaping the Republican debates. Several candidates are urging a change in the format, but Trump said he’ll deal directly with debate sponsors.
“I just want to have a debate. I want to answer tough questions,” he said, adding, “I just want to answer the questions and be done with it.”
David Lightman: 202-383-6101, @lightmandavid
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