Trump Criticism Of Judge Is 'Textbook' Racism

The most powerful Republican in Congress has condemned Donald Trump's comments about a Hispanic judge as "textbook" racism.

US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan repudiated the remarks by his party's presumptive presidential nominee during a news conference in Washington DC.

Mr Trump has suggested Mexican-American US District Judge Gonzalo Curiel, who is overseeing fraud lawsuits against the now-closed Trump University, is biased against him because of his heritage.

Amid a mounting backlash, the real estate tycoon said on Tuesday afternoon his remarks about the judge had been "misconstrued" and he would no longer comment on the case.

Mr Trump has proposed building a wall on the border with Mexico

Mr Ryan was outlining an anti-poverty plan in the nation's capital hours earlier when he was diverted to addressing the latest controversy surrounding Mr Trump.

"I regret those comments that he made," Mr Ryan told reporters.

"Claiming a person can't do their job because of their race is sort of like the textbook definition of a racist comment.

"I think that should be absolutely disavowed."

The Wisconsin Republican said the "mature and responsible thing" would be for Mr Trump to disavow the commen

But the country's highest-ranking elected Republican still sought to present Mr Trump's candidacy as the way forward for Republicans.

"We have more likelihood of getting our policies enacted with him than we do with (Democrat Hillary Clinton)," he said.

But one of Mr Trump's main surrogates, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, defended his former rival.

Speaking outside a polling place in New Jersey, one of six states to hold presidential nomination votes on Tuesday, he told reporters: "Donald Trump is not racist.

"The allegations that he is are absolutely contrary to any experience I've had with him over the last 14 years."

The real estate baron - who has proposed building a wall on the border with Mexico - has faced a barrage of criticism from his own party, including former rivals, over his remarks about the judge.

Marco Rubio criticised Mr Trump's comments as "very disturbing", John Kasich called them "flat out wrong", and Ted Cruz said they were "inappropriate".

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has also criticised the remarks, while former House Speaker Newt Gingrich called them "completely unacceptable".