Donald Trump predicts 'riots' if GOP convention picks alternate nominee



Here's what you need to know about contested and brokered conventions. Donald Trump thanks supporters after delivering remarks at the Mar-A-Lago Club, March 15, 2016 in Palm Beach, Florida.

Here's what you need to know about contested and brokered conventions. Donald Trump thanks supporters after delivering remarks at the Mar-A-Lago Club, March 15, 2016 in Palm Beach, Florida. Photo: Win McNamee, Staff Photo: Win McNamee, Staff Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Donald Trump predicts 'riots' if GOP convention picks alternate nominee 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

After an exceptional string of primary victories Tuesday night, GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump predicted "riots" if the Republican Party nominated an alternate candidate at a contested convention.

Speaking Wednesday morning on CNN, Trump argued that he should "automatically" get the party's nomination if he holds a commanding delegate lead — even if he can't claim the outright majority required by party rules.

RELATED: Cruz's campaign stump anticipates a contested convention

"I think we'll win before getting to the convention, but I can tell you, if we didn't, and if we're 20 votes short or if we're 100 short. ... I don't think you can say that we don't get it automatically," he said. "I think you'd have riots. I think you'd have riots."

Trump's not the only one who senses the possibility for unrest. Cleveland, which will host the GOP's July convention, is putting millions of dollars in federal grant money toward 2,000 sets of riot armor and 2,500 interlocking steel barriers, according to media reports. Cities typically take safety precautions ahead of hosting conventions.

RELATED: Ted Cruz predicts 'revolt' if GOP convention is brokered

If no candidate arrives in Cleveland with an outright majority of delegates — at least 1,237 — the delegates will hold a series of re-votes to pick a winner. Most delegates would eventually be free to cast their vote for a candidate other than the one they were delegated to support, opening the possibility that someone other than the primary frontrunner emerges as the nominee.

Trump's comments resemble others made by GOP presidential runner-up Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who forecast a "manifest revolt" and an "uprising" if party leadership were to use the convention to nominate a candidate who didn't place prominently in the primary election.

RELATED: Ted Cruz: 'contested' convention OK, 'brokered' convention not

But Cruz steadily changed his tone, embracing the notion of a contested convention, which now seems like his best, if slim, shot at winning the nomination. In recent days, Cruz and his chief strategist have indicated they are preparing for the possibility of a contested convention.