Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump is continuing to defend his decision not to correct a questioner at a recent town hall event who incorrectly stated that President Barack Obama is Muslim.
Speaking to more than 1,000 conservative Republicans at an event sponsored by the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition, Trump said that he is not obligated to defend the president.
Trump argues that he would have faced criticism if he had jumped in. He recalls an incident during the 2008 campaign when Republican nominee John McCain took the microphone away from a woman who said she didn’t trust Obama because he was an “Arab.” Trump called that “a little bit harsh.”
Later, answering questions from an audience of students, Trump said he would “absolutely” consider appointing a Muslim-American to his Cabinet if he’s elected president.