World

Donald Trump: 'I will never leave this race' despite criticism

December 9, 2015 4:48 pm

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said he will never leave the 2016 race despite increasing calls for him to step aside.

Mr Trump told the Washington Post he would not step aside, no matter what.
The White House had said Mr Trump was “disqualified” from running after he said the US should ban Muslims from entering the country.

His comments, in the wake of a deadly terror attack in California, drew global condemnation.

The latest world leader to reject his remarks was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said Israel “respects all religions”, hours after Mr Trump announced he will be visiting the country this month.

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Mr Trump is the current frontrunner among the Republicans running for president, six weeks before the primary contests begin for each party to pick their nominee.

He also alluded to running as an independent in a tweet linking to a USA Today poll which found 68% of his supporters would vote for him if he left the Republican party.

Concerned that Mr Trump could run as an independent, Republican leaders persuaded the New York businessman to pledge to support the eventually nominee.