I Think Islam Hates Us - Donald Trump

Donald Trump

Republican front runner Donald Trump has criticisedMuslims again, saying: "I think Islam hates us."

Asked on CNN whether the religion was at war with the West, Mr Trump replied: "We have to get to the bottom of it.

"There is an unbelievable hatred of us - anybody."

In December, the real estate tycoon provoked uproar when he called for a temporary blanket ban on Muslims entering the US.

Mr Trump was interrupted 17 times at a North Carolina rally on Wednesday

On Wednesday evening, Mr Trump, 69, told CNN's Anderson Cooper the US was at war with radical Islam, but added: "It's very hard to define.

"It's very hard to separate. Because you don't know who's who."

He added: "We have to be very vigilant. We have to be very careful. And we can't allow people coming into this country who have this hatred of the United States."

Earlier, Mr Trump was interrupted by protesters 17 times as he gave a speech in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

"Go home to mommy and have her tuck you into bed," the candidate told one protester as he was led out of the arena.

Two people were arrested.

Also on Wednesday, Democratic presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders accused Mr Trump of "demagoguery".

Asked by a moderator during a televised debate whether Mr Trump was a racist, Mrs Clinton said his comments were "deeply offensive" and "un-American".

Mr Sanders added: "The American people are never going to elect a president who insults Mexicans, who insults Muslims, who insults women, who insults African Americans."

The Republican party fears Mr Trump's provocative remarks could scare off the mainstream and swing voters needed to win the White House in November’s election.