"I have not called the president a racist, but there are racists in his sympathizers who believe he may be, which is why they go to his aid, which is why he has provided them cover. I believe his cover has led to much of the degradation in our political discourse," Gillum told CNN's John Berman on "New Day" Thursday.
On Monday, Trump posted on Twitter that there is a choice in Florida "between a Harvard/Yale educated man" -- referring to the GOP candidate Rep. Ron DeSantis -- and a "thief," referring to Gillum, for governor. Critics decried Trump's attack as a racist dog-whistle.
DeSantis has seized on Gillum's 2016 decision to accept a ticket to the Broadway show "Hamilton" from a group that included an undercover FBI agent, according to text and email records released under subpoena last week, as evidence that an ongoing federal corruption probe in Tallahassee is closer to the mayor than had been previously reported.
The corruption probe centered on whether developers successfully influenced city projects. No one has been charged with any wrongdoing.
Gillum suggested that Trump's attacks are "beneath the station of the office, and it's beneath the intelligence of the voters who we're trying to engage in this race and act on their behalf."
In a rally for DeSantis at Fort Myers Wednesday night, Trump repeatedly hit Gillum, saying that he wanted to "abolish ICE" and "supports deadly sanctuary cities."
"Andrew Gillum wants to throw open your borders to drug dealers, human traffickers, gang members and criminal aliens" Trump said.
Gillum told CNN that Trump and DeSantis "have no relationship with the truth."
"The President is attempting to use scare tactics, fear-mongering," Gillum said. "I just happen to believe they are sorely underestimating the people of my state. That's not the brand of politics that we want."
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