Mitt Romney on Monday assailed Donald Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE’s response to support from former Ku Klux Klansman David Duke as rendering him unfit for the White House.

“A disqualifying and disgusting response by @realDonaldTrump to the KKK,” tweeted Romney, the GOP’s 2012 presidential nominee.

A disqualifying & disgusting response by @realDonaldTrump to the KKK. His coddling of repugnant bigotry is not in the character of America. — Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) February 29, 2016

“[Trump’s] coddling of repugnant bigotry is not in the character of America,” Romney added.

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Duke urged listeners on his radio show last week to vote for Trump, arguing that supporting Sens. Marco Rubio Marco Antonio RubioFlorida senators pushing to keep Daylight Savings Time during pandemic Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings MORE (R-Fla.) or Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzLoeffler calls for hearing in wake of Netflix's 'Cuties' Health care in the crosshairs with new Trump Supreme Court list 'Parks and Rec' cast members hosting special reunion to raise money for Wisconsin Democrats MORE (R-Texas) instead would be “treason to your heritage.”

Trump evaded questions about Duke’s support during a Sunday interview with CNN, saying he doesn't fully understand the positions of the former KKK grand wizard.

“I don’t know anything about David Duke,” he told anchor Jake Tapper on “State of the Union.” “I don’t know anything about what you’re talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists. I know nothing about white supremacist.”

Trump on Monday said a “lousy earpiece” caused a misunderstanding during the interview.

“You could hardly hear what [Tapper] was saying,” he said. “What I heard was ‘various groups.’ I have no problem disavowing groups, but I’d at least like to know who they are. It’d be very unfair disavowing a group if they shouldn’t be disavowed.”

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Romney’s criticism of Trump marks the latest escalation of his feud with the New York business man, who is poised for big wins this week in Super Tuesday contests that could propel him to the nomination.

Romney has repeatedly attacked Trump for not publicly releasing his tax returns, arguing there is “no legit reason” for keeping the documents private.

Trump has responded by calling Romney a “a fool” for his management of the tax issue four years ago during his own presidential run. He has said he is in “no rush” to release his tax history given the complexity of his business dealings.

Updated at 2:02 p.m.