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Trump Hits Kasich: If I'd Been Beaten That Badly, I Wouldn't Go to the RNC Either

July 18, 2016

Presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump continued his campaign's criticism of Ohio Gov. John Kasich's snub of the Republican National Convention Monday on The O'Reilly Factor.

Kasich is conspicuously avoiding attending the convention happening in Cleveland, Ohio. Trump took a shot at Kasich by pointing out how soundly he beat him in the primary and suggesting if he were in Kasich's shoes, he might stay away, too.

"I beat him very badly," he said. "I won 38 states. I won the highest number of votes in the history of the Republican Party ... Some people say the most contentious primary they've ever seen, either party. If I were him and got beaten that badly, I'd probably wouldn't show up, either."

Trump said that Kasich had signed the pledge to support the GOP nominee, however.

"From a standpoint of honor, I think he should show up," Trump said.

He added he had recommended Ohio to be the site of the convention, calling it a "tremendous economic development event."

Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort criticized Kasich for the snub Monday on MSNBC's Morning Joe, saying Kasich was "embarrassing" his state.

Kasich's lone GOP primary victory was Ohio, but he stayed in the race well past being mathematically eliminated from clinching the nomination.

Bill O'Reilly asked Trump if he thought Kasich was being a "sore loser."

"I don't want to say that, but you know what? It was a very contentious primary," he said. "He lost very, very badly, and maybe if I were in his position, I wouldn't show up either."