Donald Trump

Press TV / January 15, 2016

Leading US Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump has reiterated his anti-Muslim stance despite facing criticism at home and abroad.

During a prime time debate in South Carolina, Trump said Thursday night that he will not change his mind on the proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States.

He made the comments after his contenders called on him to reconsider the statement, warning that the idea sends a wrong message.

Asked in the sixth Republican presidential debate in Charleston, if there was anything he had heard that made him want to rethink his position, Trump responded with a flat “No.”

“We have to stop with political correctness,” he said, insisting he would not change his mind on the issue.

The real-estate tycoon triggered waves of criticism even from his own party over his repeated anti-Muslim remarks.

Trump’s presidential campaign has been marked by controversial statements directed against immigrants, refugees and Muslims.

The magnate has also provoked anger by proposing that Muslim Americans should register in a national database for security reasons.

Despite his inflammatory rhetoric, Trump continues to lead the GOP contenders in the race for the party’s nomination.

A Fox News poll released earlier this month showed that 35 percent of the Republican primary voters support Trump’s presidential bid. Next was Senator Ted Cruz of Texas with 20 percent support, followed by Florida Senator Marco Rubio with 13 percent, and former neurosurgeon Ben Carson with 10 percent.

Muslim groups and legal experts have criticized Trump’s inflammatory language. During the state of union address this week, President Barack Obama also indirectly took a jab at the campaign rhetoric, saying an insult to Muslims diminishes America in the eyes of the world.