Billionaire investor Carl Icahn said Thursday there's nothing Donald Trump has said in recent weeks, including controversial remarks about a Mexican-American judge, that has swayed his opinion on presumptive GOP presidential nominee.
"I don't think anybody who supports Donald is happy with that [judge comment]," Icahn told CNBC's "Squawk Box," though he added that he still likes Trump.
Last week, Trump said U.S. District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel's opinion in a case against Trump University was being influenced by the judge's heritage because of the candidate's campaign rhetoric about Mexicans and illegal immigration.
On Tuesday, House Speaker Paul Ryan denounced Trump's statements as "textbook" racism, though the Wisconsin Republican and 2012 GOP vice presidential candidate said he still supports Trump for president.
Bowing to GOP pressure, Trump said later Tuesday he would no longer talk about Curiel, but stopped short of an apology.
In a statement, Trump wrote: "I do not feel that one's heritage makes them incapable of being impartial, but, based on the rulings that I have received in the Trump University civil case, I feel justified in questioning whether I am receiving a fair trial."
It's "ridiculous" to call Trump a racist, Icahn told CNBC on Thursday. "You need somebody like Donald in Washington very badly," said the chairman of Icahn Enterprises.
Icahn called Trump a "consensus builder," saying he believes the real estate mogul has a better chance to fix the nation's problems than presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. "I don't think there's any comparison," he said.
This week, billionaire Republican Ken Langone blasted Trump for the judge comments. While condemning Trump's remarks as "disgraceful," the Home Depot co-founder said he'd still support his fellow businessman over Clinton.