Inside Story

What does Donald Trump stand for?

Leading Republican presidential contender refuses to budge on his controversial comments to bar Muslims from the US.

The potential United States Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, is remaining defiant about his statement calling for all Muslims to be banned from entering the US.

The White House says he has disqualified himself from becoming president.

And the Pentagon says his call to ban Muslims endangers security.

But Trump has the support of various conservative commentators and at least a segment of the US public.

So, how has Trump been able to set the tone in the Republican presidential race?

And why do his comments resonate with some Americans?

Presenter: Jane Dutton

Guests:

Linda Sarsour – Executive director of the Arab American Association of New York

Matthew Del Carlo – Republican strategist and chairman of the California Young Republican Federation

James Boys – Author of the upcoming book ‘Hillary Rising’ and political historian