GOP frontrunner Donald Trump was back on the offensive Monday in Rhode Island, assailing rival candidate John Kasich for eating "in such a disgusting fashion."
Trump blasted Kasich and Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) for essentially teaming up to block him from getting the requisite 1,237 delegates to clinch the Republican presidential nomination.
"Now you look at Kasich," Trump said. "Did you see him? He has a news conference all the time when he's eating. I have never seen a human being eat in such a disgusting fashion."
The crowd in Warwick howled its approval.
"I'm always telling my young son, Baron. I'm always with my kids, all of them. I'd say, children, small little bites," Trump said. "This guy takes a pancake and he shoves it in his mouth. It's disgusting. Do you want that for your president? I don't think so. I don't think so. Honestly, it's disgusting."
The billionaire hit him again for his eating style a few minutes later, remarking that his own son had seen Kasich eating food on the television.
CNN reported on the Cruz-Kasich alliance:
Within minutes of each other, the pair issued statements late Sunday saying they will divide their efforts in upcoming contests with Cruz focusing on Indiana and Kasich devoting his efforts to Oregon and New Mexico. The strategy -- something the two campaigns have been working on for weeks -- is aimed at blocking Trump from gaining the 1,237 delegates necessary to claim to GOP nomination this summer.
The extraordinary moves reflect the national strength Trump has shown and the inability of Republicans who oppose the New York billionaire to come together to stop him. Dividing up some of the remaining primary states by putting forward one strong alternative to Trump in each could be enough to take away delegates and curb Trump's run to the nomination.