Donald Trump's former campaign adviser Roger Stone warned the Republican party on Friday that should it continue to treat Trump unfairly and deprive him of a "level playing field," the real estate mogul will run as an Independent — and the GOP will be the ones to suffer.

"If he does [run as an Independent], you know what could happen? The Democrats would probably win, Trump would run a close second and the Republicans would run third. They can then go the way of the Whigs," Stone said.

Here's hoping this optimist is correct!