Newt Gingrich calls Donald Trump an 'absurd amateur'

(Image credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

published 8 June 2016

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich continued his attacks on Donald Trump at a BIO International Convention in San Francisco on Wednesday, this time dubbing the Republican Party's presumptive nominee an "absurd amateur." Trump, Gingrich contended, "made a really stupid mistake last week" in calling for U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel, who is presiding over a civil lawsuit against Trump University, to recuse himself from the case due to his Mexican heritage. "It took him about three days to learn," Gingrich reportedly said.

But Gingrich, who is a Trump supporter, also had some more positive things to say about the billionaire businessman. Gingrich admitted that he was in awe of Trump's social media prowess, which allows him to make "$18 or $20 million worth of exposure during the day while doing nothing," and he also pointed out that "there is no question that a Trump presidency would be vastly more interesting" than the alternative. "Both of them are gambling," Gingrich said of Trump and his presumptive general election rival Hillary Clinton, "and the question is what do the American people decide is the less risky gamble."

Trump and Gingrich have been at odds this week after Gingrich declared Trump's comments "inexcusable" and one of his "worst mistakes." Trump called Gingrich's attacks both surprising and "inappropriate."