JAKE TAPPER (HOST): I want you to watch Donald Trump answer the questions I asked about Judge Gonzalo Curiel a few days ago. Take a listen.
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TAPPER: All right. So that's some of it. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House, said that Mr. Trump's view and comments about Judge Curiel are textbook racism. That's Speaker Ryan's words, not mine. What do you think? Is the position that the judge cannot do his job and be fair because he is of Mexican heritage, and Donald Trump wants to build a wall, those facts, not other ones that have since been added, but those facts, is that racism?
BEN CARSON: I think what you have to do is ask Donald Trump specifically that question. You say --
TAPPER: Is --
CARSON: No, no. Ask him this question. Is a person who is of Hispanic heritage able to make a fair judgment in any situation that deals with Hispanics? And the answer to that should be the same as if you asked that question about a person of African-American heritage, or Irish-American heritage, of any heritage. And if the answer to that is “No, they cannot make a fair judgment,” then, yes, that would be racist.
TAPPER: Of course, the subject that the judge is deciding on has nothing to do with race or racism or Mexico. It has to do with Trump University. I think that's one of the things that people are so confused about.
CARSON: But I think what people will see is that Donald Trump will really stop answering questions like that, and really refocus on what's important because right now our nation is in incredible economic trouble. We have issues with people who want to destroy us, we have educational issues, you know 71 percent of people between the ages of 17 and 24 who apply to the military are rejected principally for educational reasons. These things have huge implications.
TAPPER: They are important issues, but Mr. Trump is the one who keeps bringing up Judge Curiel's heritage.
CARSON: And that's what I just said, he's probably gonna stop doing that.
