Washington—Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Wednesday accused President Barack Obama of founding the Islamic State (IS) group.
Addressing supporters at a rally in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, the real estate tycoon said the jihadist group is “honoring President Obama.”
“He is the founder of ISIS,” Trump said, using a term for the IS group.
“He’s the founder of ISIS, okay?” he added. “He’s the founder! He founded ISIS.”
The brash billionaire went on to criticize his Democratic rival for the White House.
“And I would say, the co-founder would be crooked Hillary Clinton,” he said.
Trump has suffered what critics insist is a long string of missteps that have marred his campaign since he officially won the nomination last month.
Earlier on Wednesday, Clinton sternly warned Trump about his “casual inciting” of violence, saying he “crossed the line” after he caused a firestorm by suggesting that people who support gun rights could take action to stop her from appointing US Supreme Court justices if elected president.
Meanwhile, Clinton on Wednesday sternly warned her Republican presidential rival Donald Trump about his “casual inciting” of violence, saying his startling remarks suggesting gun rights supporters could act against her “crossed the line.”
It was the Democratic nominee’s most forceful denunciation after Trump caused a firestorm by suggesting to supporters in North Carolina on Tuesday that “Second Amendment people”—those who support gun rights—could take action to stop Clinton from appointing US Supreme Court justices as president.
“Yesterday we witnessed the latest in a long line of casual comments by Donald Trump that crossed the line,” Clinton told a rally in Des Moines, Iowa.
“Words matter, my friends. And if you are running to be president, or you are president of the United States, words can have tremendous consequences.”
Trump and his campaign had quickly sought to douse the flames, insisting the Republican flag bearer was merely urging gun rights supporters to reject her candidacy at the ballot box.