Trump’s proposed Muslim ban generates more controversy: 'I am the least racist person'



SEATTLE -- There was more heated reaction Wednesday, including from overseas, to Donald Trump’s call to ban all Muslims from entering the United States.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he “rejects” Trump’s controversial proposal.  However, he is willing to sit down with the GOP frontrunner later this month when he visit’s Israel to discuss relations between the two countries.  "The state of Israel respects all religions and strictly guarantees the rights of all its citizens," Netanyahu said.  Israel is itself 20% Muslim.

Trump’s controversial proposal for a “total and complete shutdown” of Muslims entering the U.S. continues to get a big pushback here in our country.  Graffiti comparing Trump to Hitler showed up Wednesday in Atlanta.  And in New York City, Trump’s hometown, there was a big anti-Trump rally on the steps of City Hall.

"He is a disgusting, racist demagogue who has no business running for president, period," said Melissa Mark-Viverito, speaker of New York City's City Council.  The rally also featured Barry Grodenchik, a council member from Queens.  “He is an embarrassment to the people of Queens county, to the 2.3 million people of Queens who live together every day in peace,” Grodenchik said.

Almost all of Trump’s GOP presidential competitors have come down hard against him, causing the biggest rift so far between the frontrunner and his rivals.  "To have a religious test would violate the Constitution,” said Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida.  "We need to work with Muslims in the Middle East,” he said.  “Sunnis need to defeat this radical Sunni (ISIS) group.”

The Democrats are clearly planning to use Trump’s controversial remarks against whoever gets the GOP nomination.  “We're not only dealing with one inflammatory demagogue,” said Hillary Clinton.  “We're dealing with a party at danger of losing its way, of undermining the values that we have stood for.”

Late Wednesday afternoon Trump denied that his proposal was anti-Muslim or anti-Arab.  “I am the least racist person that you have ever met,” Trump said.  “I am the least racist person.”

The controversy is likely to be the highlight of the next GOP presidential debate on Tuesday, December 15.