Trump calls Gingrich criticism of judge comments 'inappropriate'

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Donald Trump responds to criticism over judge comments

Presumptive Republican nominee on 'Fox & Friends'

Donald Trump bristled Monday at supporter Newt Gingrich joining the chorus of criticism over his comments on the Mexican heritage of a federal judge -- saying it was "inappropriate" for Gingrich to weigh in, while once again defending his remarks.

Trump for days has defended claims that American-born District Judge Gonzalo Curiel, whose parents are from Mexico, has a conflict of interest as he considers lawsuits against Trump University.

Gingrich, speaking on "Fox News Sunday," called the remarks “inexcusable.”

Trump, though, pushed back during an interview Monday with "Fox & Friends."

“I saw Newt and I was surprised at Newt. I thought it was inappropriate, what he said,” Trump said.

“All I want to say is find out why am I being treated so unfairly by a judge?” Trump said.

Trump later repeated his comments during an interview on Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor," saying the judge, "should recuse himself, not because he did anything wrong...but to eliminate any doubt as to motivation in court rulings"

"I don't care about Mexican or not, all I want him to do is give me a fair shake," he added.

Gingrich, though, is far from the only Republican challenging Trump's claims that the judge is biased against him because of his plans to build a wall along the Southern border.

The top two Republican congressional leaders have scolded Trump, and Ohio Gov. John Kasich -- who recently suspended his presidential campaign -- on Monday urged Trump to apologize.

Gingrich's criticism was especially pointed, coming from a figure thought to be a potential running mate prospect for Trump.

“It was one of the worst mistakes Trump has made. Inexcusable,” the former GOP House speaker, who has become one of Trump’s closest advisers, told “Fox News Sunday.”

“That judge is not a Mexican. He’s an American,” he said. “I hope it was sloppiness.”

Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton also weighed in Sunday, calling Trump's comments inaccurate and “very vicious.”

"Judge Curiel is as American as I am and certainly as American as Donald Trump is,” Clinton said on ABC’s “This Week.”

She also suggested that the attacks were “typical” of Trump’s strategy of trying to “divert attention” from his problems, in this case “very serious fraud charges” against the real estate school.

“Trump's continuing ethnic slurs and rants against everyone, including a distinguished federal judge, I think makes my point rather conclusively,” Clinton said.

Also on Sunday, a pair of powerful Senate Republicans warned Trump to drop his attacks on the judge.

"We're all behind him now," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on NBC's "Meet the Press," adding that it's time for unifying the party, not "settling scores and grudges."

"I hope he'll change his direction," the Kentucky Republican also said.

Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told ABC: "I don't condone the comments."

The message was repeated Monday, this time from House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz.

"Why doesn't he just say, 'look it's up to the attorneys' ... and leave it at that?" Chaffetz said on "Fox & Friends." "And then you move on."

Their remarks solidify the line GOP leaders have drawn in recent days between themselves and Trump, with whom they've made a fragile peace over their shared sense that almost anyone would be a better president than Clinton.

Trump University is the target of two lawsuits — in San Diego and New York — which accuse the business of fleecing students with unfulfilled promises to teach secrets of success in real estate. Trump has maintained that customers were overwhelmingly satisfied. Trump's legal team has not sought to have Curiel removed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.