Donald Trump has frequently publicized his friendship with Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.

The trio have declined to talk about Trump this week leading to the Super Bowl.

Trump has defended the New England Patriots against Roger Goodell on Deflategate.

“You know, Bob Kraft is also one of my best friends,” Trump said. “I said, ‘Bob, you should have never made the deal.’”

“Bob said, ‘I had a wink from the commissioner,’” Trump added, meaning that Kraft seemed to think that by standing down and not fighting the N.F.L., the league would reduce Brady’s penalty on appeal.

Kraft was under pressure, Trump explained. “He choked, just like Romney choked. He said: ‘You know what? They winked at me.’ I said, ‘Bob when you make a deal, you should have gotten it all wrapped up.’ Who ever heard of making a deal like that? Now you got this mess.” Kraft should never have trusted Goodell, he said.

“The commissioner is a weak guy,” Trump said. “When he made the Ray Rice deal, everybody said: You’re stupid. You’re weak. And it was such a weak deal. So now he’s going overboard with their star, Brady.”

He added: “The commissioner is a dope. He’s a stupid guy.”