Don Lemon interview
Trump is interviewed by Lemon on CNN about his plan to halt Muslim immigration, a possible third-party bid, and the effect the campaign has on him. He says that his plan would have exceptions for Muslim athletes and diplomats.
I am the least racist person that you have ever met…I’m doing good for the Muslims. Many Muslim friends of mine are in agreement with me. They say, ‘Donald, you brought something up to the fore that is so brilliant and so fantastic.’ I have many friends who are Muslims. They’re phenomenal people. They are so happy at what I’m doing. I love the Middle East. I love the people of the Middle East.
On a third party run:
I think it’s highly unlikely unless they break the pledge to me, because it’s a two-way street. They said they would be honorable. So far, they, I can’t tell you if they are, but the establishment is not exactly being very good to me. If they don’t treat me with a certain amount of decorum and respect. If they don’t treat me as the front-runner…If the playing field is not level, then certainly all options are open. But that’s nothing I want to do.
On comparisons with Hitler:
You know where things bother me? If things are true. If that were true, it would bother me tremendously. But of course if you were a racist you probably wouldn’t care. But if things are true, it would bother me. But if it’s so false, and honestly I don’t hear it often.
‘Who is doing the raping?’
In an CNN interview with lemon, Trump says his comments on illegal immigrationa are backed up by this article on Fusion.com:
Well if you look at the statistics of people coming, you look at the statistics on rape, on crime, on everything coming in illegally into this country it’s mind-boggling! If you go to Fusion, you will see a story: About 80% of the women coming in, you know who owns Fusion? Univision! Go to Fusion and pick up the stories on rape. It’s unbelievable when you look at what’s going on. So all I’m doing is telling the truth.
When Lemon says that the press stories are about women being raped, but not about criminals coming across the border, Trump responds:
Well, somebody’s doing the raping, Don! I mean somebody’s doing it! Who’s doing the raping? Who’s doing the raping? How can you say such a thing.
He also tells Lemon he is surprised he’s trailing Jeb Bush:
I don’t get it. He’s in favor of Common Core, extremely weak on immigration. He thinks people come over for love. I don’t understand why he’s in first place. Maybe it’s the Bush name. Last thing we need is another Bush. But I will tell you, I’m a little surprised he’s in the position he’s in.
‘Biting’ question
Lemon asks Tarshis why she did not bite Cosby when he forced her to have oral sex.
Lemon: You know, there are ways not to perform oral sex if you didn’t want to do it
Tarshis: I was kind of stoned at the time and, quite honestly, that didn’t even enter my mind. Now I wish it would have.
Lemon: Meaning the using of the teeth as a weapon, right?
Tarshis: Yes, I didn’t even think of it.
Lemon: Biting
Tarshis: Ouch
Lemon: Yes. I had to ask.