Even Donald Trump was surprised that Newt Gingrich won the South Carolina Republican presidential primary Saturday.
"Nobody knows when it comes to this race," the real estate mogul told CNBC Monday. "This race is beyond what anyone has ever seen or witnessed before."
The former House Speaker has the momentum right now, said Trump, head of the Trump Organization. "He's amazing in the debates and a lot of people would like to see him do a number on [President] Obama. You know, let’s see."
Trump was also impressed that Gingrich was able to take an explosive issue — his ex-wife's allegation that he wanted an "open marriage" so he could keep his mistress, now his wife — and turn it to his advantage.
"He took the world's worst question that has to do with wives and infidelity and knocked it out of the park, and women ended up voting for (him)," Trump said. "That's a great skill."
Mitt Romney, by contrast, came off as weak over the tax return issue and "has to be more decisive" in future debates, said Trump. The former Massachusetts governor will release his returns this week and "I can't imagine there's anything bad in the returns," Trump said.
Does he have a favorite in the race?
"I like both men very much," Trump said. "I think they're both very electable."