AP Photo Romney: Trump's controversial comments will hurt the GOP nominee

Mitt Romney thinks that Donald Trump’s controversial comments could taint the ultimate Republican nominee — even if it ends up being someone other than the businessman.

“Some of the things he’s said — particularly about Hispanics — will be problematic certainly for him if he were to go to the next stage. But for whoever our nominee is,” Romney said in an interview with Democratic strategist David Axelrod for his "The Axe Files" podcast. “Now if our nominee happened to be somebody like Marco Rubio or Jeb Bush who have strong Hispanic roots themselves and connections themselves that might not be as big an issue. But if it were maybe somebody else that didn’t have those connections, why it could probably remain as a shadow above their campaign.”


Romney, whose loss to Obama in 2012 triggered a broad reassessment within the Republican party, was criticized for comments in which he said he would encourage “self-deportation” as part of his immigration policy.

“You got in a jam for using the phrase ‘self-deportation' that is like — it’s mild compared to what Donald Trump has been saying about immigrants. Knowing the problems that created for you in the general election, did you cringe a little when you heard where he was taking the debate?” Axelrod asked.

Trump's comments about immigration include: calling illegal immigrants rapists and criminals, a proposal to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico, and a proposal to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants.

"I think Donald Trump has said a number of things which are hurtful, and he has said they were childish in some respects, and I think will be potentially problematic either in a primary or in a general election if he were to become the nominee," Romney replied. “They relate to things he’s said about women and things he’s said about members of the news media, things he’s said about Hispanics.”

"I think he’ll have some challenges if he proceeds to the next stage,” he continued.

Romney also addressed the current push in the Republican Party for Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) to become House speaker – Ryan is still undecided.

The former Massachusetts governor said he’d like to see Ryan, who ran as his vice presidential candidate, as president one day but he’s not sure if being speaker would help or hurt.

Romney said he would love to see him in any leadership role he’d like to take.