An old interview of US President Donald Trump has resurfaced on social media, reigniting discussions about his controversial views on Islam. The interview conducted by CNN’s Anderson Cooper in 2016 ahead of the US presidential election, has drawn renewed scrutiny over Trump’s remarks on the religion and its followers.
During the conversation, Trump claimed that Islam harbored hostility toward the United States, stating, “I think Islam hates us.” He described “tremendous hatred” as a defining characteristic of the religion and maintained that the country was at war with radical Islam.
However, he acknowledged the difficulty in distinguishing between extremist and mainstream followers, saying, “It’s very hard to define. It’s very hard to separate. Because you don’t know who’s who.”
Have a look at the viral clip here:
When pressed on whether this perceived hatred was inherent in Islam itself, Trump avoided a direct answer, responding, “You’re gonna have to figure that out, OK?” He also emphasized the need for stricter immigration controls, stating, “We can’t allow people coming into this country who have this hatred of the United States.”
The resurfacing of the interview has once again sparked debate, with critics accusing Trump of Islamophobia, while his supporters argue that his comments were directed specifically at radical elements within the religion.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is reportedly considering new travel restrictions targeting citizens from dozens of countries, according to sources and an internal memo reviewed by Reuters.
The memo categorizes 41 nations into three groups. The first group, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea, faces a full visa suspension. The second group, comprising Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan, would see partial suspensions affecting tourist, student, and immigrant visas with some exceptions.
