Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich warned Wednesday that presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump's attack Tuesday on New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez was "very, very destructive" and an example of him going "off the deep end."
Gingrich is a supporter of Trump and has even been floated as a potential vice presidential running mate for billionaire businessman. But Gingrich told Fox News Channel's Eric Bolling, guest hosting on "Hannity," that the attack was a mistake.
"You don't want to see a Republican presidential candidate attacking a Republican governor, and you particularly don't want to see a candidate who needs to get stronger with Latinos and stronger with women attack a Latina woman Republican governor," he said.
Martinez has been a critic of Trump and declined to attend a rally Tuesday night in Albuquerque, prompting Trump to call her out before the crowd.
"We have to get your governor to get going. She's gotta do a better job, OK? Your governor has got to do a better job. She's not doing the job," Trump said, blaming her for the rise in food stamp recipients and the settling of Syrian refugees in the state. "Hey, maybe I'll run for governor of New Mexico. I'll get this place going. She's not doing the job," he said.
Though Trump has brilliantly "come out of nowhere" to capture the GOP nomination, "Every once in a while he goes off the deep end," Gingrich said. "He has to acquire a higher level of discipline or he's going to be like Barry Goldwater."
Bolling asked if veteran Republican operative Paul Manafort, who is a major figure in Trump's campaign, can be the person to help achieve that.
"No, it has to be inside Trump," Gingrich said. "Trump's not controllable. Trump has to have self-discipline because he's the biggest guy in the room. Nobody else can discipline Trump."