Slammed for advocating a ban on all Muslims from entering the US, leading Republican presidential aspirant Donald Trump has said he is “doing good for the Muslims” and is the “least racist person”.
Slammed for advocating a ban on all Muslims from entering the US, leading Republican presidential aspirant Donald Trump has said he is “doing good for the Muslims” and is the “least racist person”.
“I’m doing good for the Muslims. Many Muslim fri-ends of mine are in agreement with me. They say, ‘Donald, you brought something up to the fore that is so brilliant and so fantastic,’” Mr Trump told CNN, days after he called for for “a complete shutdown of Muslims” entering the US, drawing worldwide rebuke.
Among those reaching out to thank him for his strategy, the 69-year-old Republican frontrunner said, was “one of the most important people in Middle East”.
Mr Trump, however, did not reveal the name of the person who called to say, “Donald, you’re doing a great service.”
“I have many friends who are Muslims. They’re phenomenal people. They are so happy at what I’m doing,” he said. He said he loves the Middle East and the people there.
Asked if he is bigoted or Islamophobic, Mr Trump replied with a firm no. “I am the least racist person that you have ever met.”
He also asserted that his plan had been misrepresented and explained that the immigration ban may not last long. “It could go quickly, but it’s a subject that has to be discussed,” he said, adding that there would be exceptions for Muslim athletes and diplomats.
Despite the global backlash, the popularity rating of the controversial US pr-esidential candidate continues to soar. As per the latest poll released on Wed-nesday by Fox News, Mr Trump leads with 35 per cent among Republican primary voters.
His nearest rival Ben Carson is a whopping 20 points behind with 15 per cent, followed by Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio with both receiving 14 per cent each. As per the national average compiled by realclearpolitics.com, Mr Trump has a popularity rating of 29.3 per cent against Mr Cruz’s 15.5 per cent.
Meanwhile, Asian religious leaders on Thursday condemned Mr Trump’s inflammatory comments on Muslims, warning that the US presidential hopeful was helping ISIS cause and diminishing America’s global stature.
