Donald Trump: Donald Sterling was 'set up' by 'girlfriend from hell'

LOS ANGELES, April 28 (UPI) -- Donald Trump has weighed into the ongoing Donald Sterling saga, claiming that the beleaguered Los Angeles Clippers owner was "set up" by his then-girlfriend, identified as V. Stiviano.

Trump stopped by Fox News’s Fox & Friends on Monday, where he conceded that Sterling's alleged racist comments were "despicable."

But Trump also directed some of the blame toward Stiviano, the woman speaking to Sterling on the audio recording published by TMZ and Deadspin over the weekend.

“He got set up by a very, very bad girlfriend, let’s face it,” Trump said.

“She’s called the girlfriend from hell, but what he said was terrible and despicable and very strong action is going to be taken. There’s no question about it,” he continued. “She’s a terrible human being and he gave horrible answers and disgusting answers.”

A source connected with Stiviano told TMZ that Sterling knew he was being recorded and that Stiviano often taped their conversations "as his archivist."