This post has been updated.
In a news conference fresh off two more primary wins Saturday night, Republican frontrunner Donald Trump called on Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) to drop out of the GOP presidential race so he can focusing on facing off with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).
“Marco had a very, very bad night. I would call for him to drop out,” Trump said at an event in West Palm Beach, Florida.
He went on: “I would love to be able to take on Ted one on one. That would be so much fun, because Ted can’t win New York, he can’t win New Jersey, he can’t win Pennsylvania, he can’t win California. I want Ted one on one, OK?
Trump emphasized Rubio’s disappointing showing in the Saturday primary races. After winning only one race, the Super Tuesday caucus in Minnesota, the billionaire real estate mogul said Rubio “has to get out of the race, has to.”
The Republican frontrunner was scheduled to begin the press conference at 9 p.m. ET but told media he wouldn’t begin until all the races were called, including a tight race in Kentucky, a first-time GOP caucus state. The race was for hours considered too close to call before Trump was named the winner.
Alex Conant, Rubio’s national spokesman, tweeted that Trump is only calling on Rubio to drop out because of the upcoming primary in his home state.
“Trump is only pushing Marco Rubio to get out because he knows we are going to beat him in Florida. Marco has never called on anyone to drop out,” Conant tweeted.
