Ron Paul: Trump could leave GOP ‘severed’

Former Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) said Thursday that Donald Trump could cleave the Republican Party in half if he wins its 2016 presidential nomination.

“I think it would be very bad if he were to get the nomination,” Paul said on CNBC’s “Futures Now.”

{mosads}“I think the Republican Party would be severed in two pieces,” he continued. “He probably wouldn’t win [the presidency].

“It would be devastating for the markets because then you’d have Hillary [Clinton],” Paul added, referencing the Democratic presidential front-runner. “As bad as Republicans are, I’d have to argue that Hillary, when it comes to taxes, is just a little bit worse.”

Paul sought the White House in 2008 and 2012. His son, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), is running for president now, but has failed to gain traction in the polls.

GOP leaders worried by Trump’s popularity have other options for blocking his path to the White House, Paul said.

“In a way, Republicans can decide who their candidate is,” he said.

“They can write the rules any way they want. [But] if they denied that to Trump, I’ll tell you what, Trump would run as an independent. That’s why Republicans can’t really be aggressive with Trump.”

Paul suggested the Republican establishment could challenge Trump with a third-party candidate of their own should he win the party’s nomination next year.

“If they can’t push him out, somebody else will run, somebody else will enter.” 

Trump has upended the GOP’s 2016 presidential primary with his bombastic approach. He currently leads the other Republican White House hopefuls by 15 points nationwide, according to the latest RealClearPolitics average of samplings.

Republican leaders worry Trump’s controversial rhetoric about Muslims and immigrants could cost them the general election, despite the billionaire’s popularity with the Republican base.

Trump, meanwhile, has repeatedly threatened a third party candidacy should he feel that the Republican Party treats him unfairly.