HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Donald Trump rained fresh criticism on the Republican Party’s nomination process Friday, describing the system as “rigged” and warning that millions of disenfranchised Republicans would sit out the general election if he’s denied the nomination.
The comments came as the billionaire businessman addressed voters in Connecticut’s capital city just days ahead of neighboring New York’s Tuesday primary election. Connecticut is among five states set to vote a week later.
Trump attacked his Republican rivals, Ted Cruz and John Kasich, but also took direct aim at his own party’s leadership. He charged that “party bosses” arranged a presidential nomination process that has unfairly allowed Cruz to stay within striking distance in the battle for delegates.
“The system is rigged, folks,” Trump charged. “The top Republicans called up, they said, ‘Donald, please could you stop saying that?’ I said: ‘Look, I’m telling the truth. I don’t care, I’m telling the truth.'”
Trump’s sustained attacks on Republican leadership in recent days forced Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus to lash out at the GOP front-runner earlier Friday.