Donald Trump sent a bold message to Republican leadership during a rally Wednesday in Atlanta: shut up.
During the rally, the presumptive Republican nominee skewered the GOP for not being tough enough in negotiations — a common refrain for the businessman-turned-politician.
Photo by Branden Camp/Getty Images
"You know the Republicans — honestly folks, our leaders, our leaders have to get tougher," he said. "This is too tough to do it alone, but you know what I think I'm going to be forced to. I think I'm going to be forced to. Our leaders have to get a lot tougher."
Following the criticism he's received from within his own party for his attacks on the Mexican heritage of the judge who's presiding over a Trump University lawsuit and his reaction to the Orlando terror attack, Trump asked GOP leaders to just stop talking.
"Be quiet," he chided. "Just please be quiet. Don't talk. Please be quiet. Just be quiet ... because they have to get tougher, they have to get sharper, they have to get smarter. We have to have our Republicans either stick together or let me just do it by myself."
Trump, who does not enjoy broad, unwavering support from many within the Republican Party leadership, has been rebuked for his positions and comments on several different issues recently.
Trump's proposed ban on Muslims entering the U.S. has been rejected by House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). And Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham, Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker also rebuked the candidate for his comments following the deadly Orlando attack.
"It wasn't the kind of response that I would expect when 50 people have perished," Corker said, according to NBC News. "You know, I think I've offered words of public encouragement in important times and continue to be discouraged by the results."
"I continue to be discouraged by the direction of the campaign and the comments that are made," he added. "And I did not think yesterday's speech was the type of speech that one would give who wants to lead this country through difficult times."
Alexander took his rejection of Trump a step further Tuesday, telling the Associated Press, "We don't have a nominee."
(H/T: Business Insider)
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