Donald Trump made headlines this weekend after expressing doubt that a U.S. Muslim judge could be unbiased in some court decisions. One of his newest supporters, longtime Republican donor Foster Friess, echoed Trump's skepticism.
"They have a different kind of worldview, and I believe, if I understand Islam correctly, they would prefer to have the Quran be the dominant guiding force for our country versus the Constitution," Friess, founder of Friess Associates, told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" on Monday. "So that does make it difficult."
Trump appeared on CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday following his criticism of Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel, a U.S. judge who Trump said has a "conflict of interest" in a California case against Trump University. Because of the judge's heritage and the Republican candidate's proposed border wall with Mexico, Trump said, he might not deliver an unbiased decision.
When asked if a Muslim judge might carry a similar bias because of Trump's call for a ban on Muslim immigrants, Trump responded with, "It's possible, yes."
Friess called Trump's proposed ban on Muslim immigrants a "significant" strategy.
"I think that's a very strong policy of vetting these people properly," Friess said, highlighting the difficulty in identifying dangerous personnel coming into the country. "Let's give President Obama a great big bowl of M&M's and tell him there's only 10 poisonous M&M's in it, and he can help himself."
The main reason Friess said he and others are joining on the Trump bandwagon comes down to the Supreme Court.
"I believe the donations are going to come in because people will realize the dramatic significance of allowing Hillary Clinton to appoint three Supreme Court justices," Friess said. "That overrides about every other issue."
Trump also brings an ability to leverage media coverage that Friess said other Republicans don't hold a candle to.
"The Republicans don't do a good job of marketing," Friess said. "Donald Trump has already reflected his ability to excite people, and to get the people to make our country work."
He said Trump can be intentionally controversial, in the same way that wrestlers are in the World Wrestling Federation. "How do you get people all geared up to watch the thing when they pretty well know it's a fake?" Friess said, going on to describe men with oversize belts "trash-mouthing" their opponents.
"That has got him a lot of earned media, and I think that's part of his strategy," Friess said. "He's a very, very savvy guy when it comes to marketing."
Friess pointed to Trump's stance on minimum wage, which the Republican candidate has said should be left to the states. Other policies can be tweaked, Friess said. He urged other GOP members to remember that, and to remember the Democratic alternative.
"I believe some of [his policies] can be revised and tweaked, and we're gonna be in a lot better shape with Donald Trump as president than Hillary Clinton," Friess said.