"Conservatives have to look closely at Trump's record and decide whether he's a conservative or not," Rand Paul said. | AP Photo Rand Paul: Trump's a 'fake conservative'

Rand Paul says Donald Trump is a "fake conservative," though he won't say the same about Trump's newest backer Sarah Palin.

In an interview Monday evening, the Kentucky senator and struggling presidential candidate said his party needs to take a far deeper look at Trump and whether he truly appeals to the GOP's conservative values.


"The question for conservatives is whether Donald Trump is a real conservative or not. I think he's a fake conservative," Paul said, adding that he believes Trump was a supporter of President Obama in 2008. "Conservatives have to look closely at Trump's record and decide whether he's a conservative or not."

Asked if Palin is conservative, Paul responded: "I'd rather reserve my comments for Trump."