Donald Trump said Saturday that Jeb Bush was behind a "movement" pushed by delegates to the Republican National Convention next month that would change party rules so they can vote for the candidate of their choice instead of who won their states in the primaries.
[See video at 1:00 mark.]
The presumptive Republican nominee also hinted that another 2016 rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, was part of the "delegate revolt."
"By the way, Jeb is working on the movement, just so you understand," Trump told about 1,600 supporters at a rally at the Treasure Island Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. "I love competition like that. I love it.
"And the other one should be obvious to you, but we'll figure that out very easily," he added.
In another apparent slam at Cruz, Trump later said: "One of the people, who probably hasn't quite given up yet, was trying to buy up all of the second-ballot people."
During the primaries, Cruz tried to attract convention delegates to support him should no candidate be nominated on the first ballot in Cleveland,
The Washington Post reports.
"There's a little movement," Trump told the rally. "And I just heard today where it's coming from. It's coming from people that have been badly defeated.
"But wouldn't it be funny: A guy that got a lot less votes, he got no states," Trump said before mockingly continuing, "ladies and gentlemen, our nominee is … ."
He then looked baffled, holding out his arms, while many supporters laughed.
"I don't think so," Trump said. "It's all made up by the press, folks. It's a hoax.
"We're gonna beat Hillary," Trump said, "and it would be helpful if the Republicans helped us a little bit."
In explaining Trump's remarks, campaign spokeswoman told the Post: "Mr. Trump was stating the fact that with almost 14 million votes and with 37 state victories, he won the nomination in a landslide and that anybody who he so soundly defeated would have zero path to getting the nomination both from a practical or a legal standpoint."
Representatives for Bush and Cruz did not respond to requests for comment by the Post, though the former Florida governor has said he would not support Trump.
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