Trump defends call to ban Muslims from US following terrorist video

An al-Shabaab recruitment video has prompted Donald Trump to defend his call to ban all Muslims from entering the US.

In an interview with CBS News aired yesterday, Trump – who is currently the Republican presidential candidate frontrunner – said, "Look, there's a problem. I bring it up."

"Other people have called me and say, 'You have the guts bring it up because frankly, it's true but nobody wants to get involved,'" he continued. "Now people are getting involved.

"People that are on different persuasions than me right now... are saying, you know maybe Trump isn't wrong. We want to examine it."

Trump spoke after featuring in a recruitment video by Somali terrorist group al-Shabaab.

The video used a clip of Trump urging the US to ban Muslims from entering the country to suggest that America discriminates against its Islamic population.

Trump's anti-Muslim rhetoric has prompted significant criticism, including from a number of his fellow candidates. Jeb Bush has branded Trump "unhinged" while Lindsey Graham – who in Demcember withdrew from the presidential race – has accused him of being "downright dangerous".

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton last month accused Trump of being ISIS' "best recruiter"

The US needs to ensure "the really discriminatory messages that Trump is sending around the world don't fall on receptive ears," she said during a Democratic debate.

"He is becoming ISIS's best recruiter. They are going out people showing videos of Donald Trump insulting Islam and Muslims in order to recruit more radical jihadists."

CBS' John Dickerson asked Trump on Sunday whether he was concerned about being used as a recruitment tool by al-Shabaab.

"They use other people, too," Trump said.

"What am I going to do? I have to say what I have to say. And you [know] what I have to say? There's a problem. We have to find out what is a problem. And we have to solve that problem."

related articles
The wisdom of Donald Trump... in 11 handy soundbites

The wisdom of Donald Trump... in 11 handy soundbites

Six facts about Islam in the US
Six facts about Islam in the US

Six facts about Islam in the US

GOP debate: Trump in the firing line for \'unhinged\' remarks
GOP debate: Trump in the firing line for 'unhinged' remarks

GOP debate: Trump in the firing line for 'unhinged' remarks

US evangelicals issue powerful pro-refugee call
US evangelicals issue powerful pro-refugee call

US evangelicals issue powerful pro-refugee call

Combating Islamophobia 'fundamental to protect our freedom' – top US attorney

Combating Islamophobia 'fundamental to protect our freedom' – top US attorney

Clinton: Donald Trump is ISIS' best recruiter

Clinton: Donald Trump is ISIS' best recruiter

News
Preacher fined over Bible verse display challenges abortion clinic buffer zones
Preacher fined over Bible verse display challenges abortion clinic buffer zones

The abortion buffer zones have been branded "censorship zones".

God is the remedy for grief
God is the remedy for grief

To have loved deeply and to have been loved in return is one of life’s greatest gifts. But when that love is taken away, grief follows. And grief, in many ways, never fully leaves.

What does new school trans guidance mean for Scotland?
What does new school trans guidance mean for Scotland?

Although the draft guidance applies only to schools in England, there are ramifications for Scotland too.

Why is 1 Corinthians 13 often read at weddings?
Why is 1 Corinthians 13 often read at weddings?

St Paul wrote a timeless definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13, known as the “love chapter”, which is one of the most famous chapters in the Bible and is often read at weddings. This is the story …