Carson: GOP blocking Trump would mean ‘a lot of turmoil’

Ben Carson predicted late Wednesday that the GOP will erupt in chaos if it attempts to keep Donald Trump from its presidential nomination.

“There’s no question that there would be a lot of turmoil if the establishment tries to thwart the will of the people,” he told host Erin Burnett on CNN’s “OutFront.”

{mosads}“[It is] recognizing that millions of new voters have come into the Republican fold because of Donald Trump. It is very unlikely that those people would maintain their enthusiasm if, in fact, some shenanigans resulted in someone else being the nominee.”

Carson also dismissed critics who argue Trump is inciting violence by forecasting “riots” if he misses the Republican nomination.

“I think it’s much to do about nothing,” the former GOP White House hopeful said. “The point is that there would be a tremendous disturbance. It would be a typical move for the Republicans who have this penchant for snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory.”

The retired neurosurgeon additionally shrugged off polls that show Trump trailing Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton in a general election in November.

“It is early days,” Carson said. “The nominating process needs to continue. Of course, as more candidates fall out, more of those [voters] will go to both of those candidates.”

Carson suspended his own Oval Office bid earlier this month after a series of weak finishes in voting contests nationwide. He endorsed Trump last week, becoming the second of the billionaire’s former primary rivals to do so after Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.).

Establishment Republicans have repeatedly teased a brokered convention in July as a means of stopping Trump from becoming their party’s standard-bearer. Critics argue the business mogul’s lack of political experience and bombastic rhetoric may become liabilities with voters later this year.