Republicans can’t continue to support Donald Trump while condemning his behaviour, U.S. President Barack Obama said Tuesday.
“You can’t have it both ways here,” Obama told a Greensboro, N.C. rally for Hillary Clinton.
“You can’t repeatedly denounce what is said by someone, and then say, ‘But I’m still going to endorse him to be the most powerful person on the planet.'”
Trump has been under fire in recent days over a leaked 2005 recording in which the Republican nominee can be heard making lewd comments about women and bragging about sexual assault.
Fallout has been swift. But while calling his words unacceptable, many Republicans say they still stand behind Trump in his bid for the White House.
READ MORE: Donald Trump’s history of crude, sexist comments about women lengthy
“Now you’ve got people saying, ‘Well, we strongly disapprove. We really disagree. We find those comments disgusting. But we’re still endorsing him. We still think he should be president,” said Obama.
“That doesn’t make sense to me.”
The 2005 recording released Friday reveals Trump saying, among other lewd comments, that he “can do anything” to women due to his star power — including grabbing them by the genitals.
Trump has since summed up his statements as “locker room talk,” somewhat apologized, and admitted he isn’t a “perfect person.”
Nobody is perfect, Obama acknowledged, but said when choosing the commander-in-chief such behaviour cannot be dismissed.
“If someone does something terrible or shows themselves to be unqualified for office, I can forgive them I suppose if they’re sincere about it. But I don’t want them necessarily leading the country.”
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Obama makes fun of Trump, says he tweets at 3am; isn’t fit if threatening to put opponent in jail -
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Obama mocks Trump by checking his mic during rally -
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Obama calls Trump’s locker room talk ‘not right’; says Trump doesn’t have the right ‘temperament’ -
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‘Try to get your own rally’: Obama tells protesters to demonstrate at their own rally
READ MORE: Given Donald Trump’s history, why are Republicans running for cover now?
On Tuesday, Trump came out swinging against those who have taken a stand against him, including House Speaker Paul Ryan and Sen. John McCain, in a series of tweets.
WATCH: Trump attacks Clinton, GOP leaders in latest efforts to attract voters
He hinted his antics could be ramping up, as he celebrated his “shackles” being taken off.
“It is so nice that the shackles have been taken off me and I can now fight for America the way I want to.” Trump posted to Twitter Tuesday morning.
WATCH: John McCain explains why he is formally withdrawing his endorsement of Donald Trump
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