Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump isn’t buying the notion that his new proposal to temporarily bar Muslims from entering the United States could actually serve to endanger the country, as some suggest the Islamic State terrorist group will seize on the plan and use it to target new recruits.
“I’m the worst thing that’s ever happened to ISIS,” Mr. Trump said in an interview with ABC News. “The people in my party fully understand that. They’re running against me. For the most part, they have no poll numbers. I’m leading by a lot. They get it. They’re trying to get publicity for themselves.”
“You know, when I came out against illegal immigration, everybody [said] the same thing,” he said. “Two weeks later, everybody was on my side, including the members of my own party.”
Mr. Trump said he doesn’t regret offering the proposal, saying that “we have to do the right thing.”
He said he has “tremendous relationships” with people in the Muslim community who agree with him “a hundred percent.”
“It’s short term,” he said. “Let our country get its act together. … It could be very quickly if our country could get its act together.”
SEE ALSO: Donald Trump defiant as Muslim ban draws widespread condemnation
Asked if he is a bigot, Mr. Trump said: “Not at all, probably the least of anybody you’ve ever met.”
“I’m a person that has common sense, I’m a smart person, I know how to run things, I know how to make America great again,” he said. “This is about making America great again.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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