'I don't want to see trickle-down racism': Mitt Romney refuses to endorse Trump and suggests he will vote for a third-party ticket instead of the Donald

  • Mitt Romney attacked Trump in a CNN interview with Wolf Blitzer Friday
  • He said trickle-down racism, bigotry and misogyny are 'extraordinarily dangerous' to America
  • Refused to endorse Trump, and expressed disappointment over Ryan's attempt to unify the party behind the Republican presumptive nominee 
  • Suggested he was open to voting for libertarian Gary Johnson instead
  • Romney suggested something was amiss in Trump's tax returns
  • Trump spokesperson dismissed Romney's comments as 'sour grapes'
By Jessica Chia For Dailymail.com
Published: 20:13 EST, 10 June 2016 | Updated: 02:42 EST, 11 June 2016
Mitt Romney launched a scathing attack on Donald Trump by suggesting the Republican presidential candidate would encourage racism, bigotry and misogyny.
In a candid CNN interview during Romney's annual ideas summit near Park City, Utah, the 2012 presidential candidate said he would consider voting for Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson instead.
Romney has maintained his position as one of the most outspoken Republican Trump critics despite House Speaker Paul Ryan attempts to unify the party with his endorsement.
Mitt Romney launched a scathing attack on Donald Trump, calling out the Republican presidential candidate's racism, misogyny and bigotry
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Mitt Romney launched a scathing attack on Donald Trump, calling out the Republican presidential candidate's racism, misogyny and bigotry
Romney (pictured) suggested Trump's presidency would have a negative effect on the country when he said on Friday: 'I don't want to see a president saying things which change the character of the generations of Americans'
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Romney suggested Trump's presidency would have a negative effect on the country when he said on Friday: 'I don't want to see a president saying things which change the character of the generations of Americans'
Trump has come under fire for his attacks on the federal judge presiding over civil lawsuits against Trump University.
The business tycoon has pointed out Gonzalo Curiel is Mexican, despite the fact that the judge was born in Indiana.
Paul Ryan called Trump's comments 'the textbook definition of a racist comment',  Romney chimed in, saying: 'He indicated what he believes in his heart about Mexicans, and about race, by the comments he made about Judge Curiel. 
'He didn't just say it once. It wasn't a slip of the tongue, which he went back and apologized for. First of all, he's repeated it time and time again. Second of all, he's never apologized.'
Romney said he didn't want to see Trump as an example for future generations, or as a representative of the country to the rest of the world.  
He added: 'I don't want to see a president of the United States saying things which change the character of the generations of Americans that are following.
'Presidents have an impact on the nature of our nation, and trickle-down racism, trickle-down bigotry, trickle-down misogyny, all these things are extraordinarily dangerous to the heart and character of America.' 
Romney, who tried to thwart Trump's run by recruiting a third-party candidate, suggested he was intent on casting his ballot for anyone other than the Donald.
Instead, Romney said he would consider voting for libertarian and former governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson, whose running mate Bill Weld once raised money for Romney.
He said: 'I'll get to know Gary Johnson better and see if he's someone who I could end up voting for. That's something I'll evaluate over the coming weeks and months.'