Trump maintains Obama ISIL claim
U.S. president founded group, candidate says
MIAMI• Donald Trump repeatedly accused President Barack Obama of founding the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on Thursday, refusing to take back a patently false allegation even when questioned about the logic of his position. A day after lobbing the attack against the president during a rowdy rally, Trump pressed ahead during a round of interviews.
He brushed off conservative radio commentator Hugh Hewitt’s attempt to reframe Trump’s observation as one that said Obama’s foreign policy created the conditions in Iraq and Syria that allowed ISIL to thrive. “No, I meant he’s the founder of ISIS. I do,” Trump said, using another acronym for the extremist group that has wreaked havoc from the Middle East to European cities. Hewitt asked Trump if he would acknowledge that Obama hates ISIL, noting that the president is “trying to kill them.” Over the past two years Obama has organized a broad coalition of countries and launched more than 10,000 U.S. airstrikes. “I don’t care,” Trump replied. “He was the founder. The way he got out of Iraq — that was the founding of ISIS, OK?”
In a later speech to home builders in Miami on Thursday, he said Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton would be given “the Most Valuable Player Award” by ISIL. “Her only competition is Barack Obama,” he said.
Clinton’s campaign accused Trump of “trash-talking” the U.S. while failing to present any serious counterterrorism plans of his own.
Jake Sullivan, Clinton’s top policy aide drew a connection to Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Once again, he’s echoing the talking points of Putin and our adversaries to attack American leaders and American interests,” Sullivan said.
Trump had previously said Clinton founded the militant group, but shifted the blame to Obama on Wednesday during a Florida rally. “In many respects, you know, they honour President Obama,” Trump said Wednesday during a rally outside Fort Lauderdale. “He is the founder of ISIL,” he said, repeating the allegation three more times for emphasis.
Trump also pointedly referred to the president by his full legal name: Barack Hussein Obama. The accusation — and his use of the president’s middle name, Hussein — echoed previous instances where he’s questioned Obama’s religious faith and loyalties to the country.
In the past, Trump has also falsely suggested Obama is a Muslim or was born in Kenya, where Obama’s father was from. The president, a Christian, was born in Hawaii.
The White House declined to comment on Trump’s accusation.