Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Donald Trump responds to criticism over banning Muslims from US: 'I. Don't. Care'

Canidate's remarks coincide with the release of a Monmouth poll placing rival Republican Ted Cruz ahead 

Rose Troup Buchanan
Tuesday 08 December 2015 03:52 EST
Comments
Donald Trump "I. Don't. Care"

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Donald Trump has called for a complete ban on Muslims entering the United States - before responding to a wave of critcism by telling a cheering crowd: “I. Don’t. Care.”

The candidate for the Republican presidential ticket released a statement calling for a "complete shutdown" of Muslim immigration to the US.

Speaking in the wake of the deadly California shootings in which 14 people were killed, the 69-year-old – long written off by political pundits but maintaining a bastion of support across America – said the ban should remain in place until authorities "can figure out" Muslim attitudes to the US.

Following a swathe of criticism, he re-read the controversial campaign statement on board Second World War carrier USS Yorktown, telling the crowd: “We need a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States while we figure out what the hell is going on.”

His statement went on to claim “there is great hatred towards Americans by large segments of the Muslim population.”

But on stage, Trump built on these remarks.

“They think they are going to change our religion," he said.

"I don’t think so. I don’t think so – not going to happen.”

He claimed that while he knew he was not being “politically correct”, he was leading the “noisy majority”.

“We used to call it the quiet majority, but people are fed up – they are fed up with incompetence, they are fed up with stupid leaders, they are fed up with stupid people," he said.

It would appear many of his supporters agree. Six out of eight supporters who spoke to CNN at the South Carolina rally last night concurred with Trump’s assessment.

Many commentators have noted the timing of his remarks coincides with the release of a Monmouth poll, placing rival Texan senator Ted Cruz ahead of Trump by five per cent.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in