Ron Paul pans Donald Trump as false GOP deity

Fresh off snubbing Donald Trump by refusing to participate in a debate he's moderating, Ron Paul blasts his fellow GOP presidential candidates for paying the billionaire businessman so much credence.

“I don’t quite understand the marching to his office," Paul said on CNN's State of the Union this morning, referring to the parade of presidential candidates who've met with Trump in recent months. "I didn't know he had the ability to lay on hands and anoint people.”

Paul rejected the debate invitation by deeming Trump beneath the presidency, while Trump released a statement saying Paul is "clown-like" and “willing to lie” and “either very jealous of Mr. Trump, stupid, or a combination of both.” The debate is scheduled for Dec. 27 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Host Candy Crowley asked Paul why his relationship with Trump turned so rocky, so quickly.

“He probably doesn’t like my position on the federal reserve,” Paul said. “It may be, deep down, philosophic … and his personality that doesn’t like to be challenged.”

Earlier this year, Trump himself had an extended dalliance with a Republican presidential run, ultimately deciding against entering the race.