Potential Hillary VP: Trump should ‘scare’ GOP

Housing Secretary Julián Castro, a rising Democratic star and potential 2016 vice presidential pick, says Republicans should be frightened by the prospect of Donald Trump running for president.

“It should scare the Republican Party because this guy is one of the most well-known folks who is running for president on their side,” Castro told host José Díaz-Balart on MSNBC’s “The Rundown” Friday of Trump’s bid.

Castro, a Hispanic-American, has been seen by many as a possible running mate for Democratic contender Hillary Clinton.

{mosads}Castro cited Trump’s recent controversial comments on Hispanic immigrants and said it would hurt Republicans in 2016.

“More than that, they understand the importance of the Hispanic vote,” he said of GOP leaders. “That is going to be significant in a number of battleground states.

“If this is the attitude that some of their leading candidates are going to take towards Mexican and towards immigrants, than they can just kiss the presidency goodbye in 2016,” he warned.

Trump has drawn criticism for attacking Mexico and illegal immigrants in comments made while launching his presidential bid earlier this month..

“They’re sending people who have a lot of problems,” Trump said. “They bring in drugs, they bring in crime, they’re rapists. I assume some are good people.”

That led Univision to announce on Thursday that it is terminating its partnership with Trump’s Miss Universe pageants.

Castro said on Friday that the network’s decision would force Trump to think twice before making similar comments on the campaign trail.

“I think what Donald Trump just found out is that you don’t get ahead by spreading hate,” he said.

“Well, of course he’s trying to clean it up now because he’s seen the business impact his hateful comments have had,” Castro added.

Castro also argued that America’s history of immigration is at odds with Trump’s rhetoric.

“There are so many people — immigrants to this country from Mexico or other places — who have come just seeking a better life, who work hard, who have helped build up the world’s greatest economy,” he said.

NBC, which airs Trump’s reality show “Celebrity Apprentice,” also distanced itself on Thursday from his remarks.

“Donald Trump’s opinions do not represent those of NBC, and we do not agree with his positions on a number of issues, including his recent comments on immigration,” it said in a statement.

NBC co-owns the Miss Universe Organization with Trump. It also helps produce its annual Miss USA and Miss Universe beauty competitions.

Trump hosts and executive produces “Celebrity Apprentice” for the channel. NBC renewed the popular reality TV franchise for a 15th season earlier this year.