Republican Party Chairman Says Donald Trump Cannot Win Election as an Independent

Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus said that he does not think that Donald Trump would win the 2016 presidential race as an independent.

The chairman responded to rumors that claimed Trump will eventually run for president as an independent candidate after losing some Republican supporters following his racist remarks, according to the Associated Press.

"I don't see that happening," Priebus said in a nationally broadcast interview on Monday, adding that "if Hillary Clinton is going to get beat, she has to get beat by a Republican."

The billionaire real estate executive has climbed up in the polls despite the racist comments he made about Mexican immigrants. "I think he's speaking out to people that are really frustrated with Washington," the RNC chairman said.

The Republican Party will have its first debate on Aug. 6. There are now 16 Republicans fighting for the ticket to the oval office.

"Every candidate is going to be able to compete on debate night," Priebus said, though the stage will be limited to the top 10 polling candidates.

The way things are going, that means Trump will be in the first Republican debate.

A new CNN/ORC Poll finds Trump at 18 percent support among Republicans and former Florida governor Jeb Bush at just 15 percent. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is also near the top of the poll with 10 percent support from voters.

Yet, voters have an overall 59 percent unfavorable opinion of Trump. But a majority of voters also said they would like to see Trump continue his run for the Republican nomination.

Trump received backlash for the comments he made about Mexican immigrants in June while announcing his bid for the White House.

"They (Mexico) are not our friend, believe me... The U.S. has become a dumping ground for everybody else's problems... When Mexico sends its people, they are not sending their best," Trump said, straying from his prepared speech. "They are bringing drugs and they are bringing crime, and they're rapists"

Will Trump win the Republican ticket to the oval office?