As Republicans such as New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and 2016 presidential hopefuls like Jeb Bush, George Pataki and Marco Rubio have been making it clear they do not agree with Donald Trump's take on Mexico, the former “Apprentice” host has been firing back.

During an appearance on "Fox and Friends" on July 4, Trump said Marco Rubio is "weak" on immigration.

"There's tremendous crime and illegal immigration is just incredible. As far as Rubio, he's very weak on immigration," Trump said. "You know, I have great relations with Mexico, and I love the Mexican people, and the spirit of the Mexican people. These are people just pouring across the border."

Despite his alleged good relations, Trump famously said Mexico was sending criminals and rapists to the United States.

"Trump's comments are not just offensive and inaccurate but also divisive," Cuba-American Republican presidential nominee Rubio recently said, according to Mediate. “Our next president needs to be someone who brings Americans together, not someone who continues to divide. ... We need leaders who offer serious solutions to secure our border and fix our broken immigration system.”

Previously Rubio has supported a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S. but has stipulated that the border should first be secured.

Regardless of any perceived weakness, Trump likes Rubio’s stance on immigration.

"I respect Ted Cruz for the view he's got," he said about the fellow Republican presidential candidate. "He was really out there and strong on it. I shouldn't say this because, I assume, he's an opponent, but the fact is he was very brave in coming out."

As reported on CNN, Trump had less enthusiastic words for Jeb Bush, who had accused Trump of using deliberately inflammatory rhetoric to draw attention to his campaign. According to Trump, Bush “doesn't understand anything about the border or border security ... (and) believes illegal immigrants who break our laws when they cross our border come ‘out of love.’"

Related