Trump: Rubio a 'perfect little puppet'
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Businessman Donald TrumpDonald John Trump Trump responds to calls to tear down monuments with creation of 'National Garden' of statues Trump: Children are taught in school to 'hate their own country' Trump accuses those tearing down statues of wanting to 'overthrow the American Revolution' MORE on Tuesday targeted Republican presidential rival Marco RubioMarco Antonio RubioTrump administration eyes new strategy on COVID-19 tests ACLU calls on Congress to approve COVID-19 testing for immigrants Republicans fear backlash over Trump's threatened veto on Confederate names MORE, suggesting the Florida senator is a "perfect little puppet" to donors.

Trump alluded to a report this week that casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, a top Republican mega-donor, was leaning toward supporting Rubio's 2016 bid. 
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"Sheldon Adelson is looking to give big dollars to Rubio because he feels he can mold him into his perfect little puppet. I agree!" Trump tweeted.

Trump labeled Rubio and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, another GOP candidate, as "puppets" during a bipartisan convention in New Hampshire on Monday. 
 
The billionaire real estate tycoon has maintained that he would largely self-fund his own White House bid amid an effort to cast a populist tone that he can't be bought. 
 
Trump, 69, has repeatedly gone after Rubio, 44, calling him a "kid" and casting doubt on his handling of personal finances. In turn, Rubio has labeled Trump "touchy and insecure."
 
"From time to time we’ll respond, because it’s fun to watch him blow up even more," Rubio reportedly said last week of Trump's barbs.
 
Rubio has risen steadily in the polls in recent weeks toward Trump, who has led the crowded Republican presidential field for more than two months.
Tags Donald Trump Marco Rubio Sheldon Adelson 2016 Republican nomination 2016 Republican primary