Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has doubled down on his claim a federal judge should recuse himself from a lawsuit over the defunct for-profit Trump University, because he is of Mexican heritage. Trump defended his remarks to CNN’s Jake Tapper.

Donald Trump: “This judge is of Mexican heritage. I’m building a wall, OK? I’m building a wall. I am going to do very well with the Hispanics, the Mexicans that are voting.”

Jake Tapper: “So no Mexican judge could ever be involved in a case that involves you?”

Donald Trump: “Well, he’s a member of a society where—you know, very pro-Mexico. And that’s fine. It’s all fine. But I think”—

Jake Tapper: “Except that you’re calling into question his heritage.”

Donald Trump: “I think he should recuse himself.”

Jake Tapper: “Because he’s Latino.”

Donald Trump: “And then you also say, 'Does he know the lawyer on the other side?' I mean, does he know the lawyer? And, you know, a lot of people say yes. I don’t know.”

Jake Tapper: “But I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about”—

Donald Trump: “No, that’s another—that’s another problem.”

Jake Tapper: “But you’re invoking his race when talking about whether or not he can do his job.”

Donald Trump: “Jake, I’m building a wall. OK?”

Tapper asked Trump 23 times whether his comments were racist. Ultimately Trump said he believed they were not.