Donald Trump backs Brexit, attacks 'horrible' migration
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has controversially spoken out in support of the Brexit campaign.
In an interview with Fox News, he said Britain would be better off outside the European Union.
Trump said: "I think the migration has been a horrible thing for Europe, a lot of that was pushed by the EU. I would say that they're better off without it, personally, but I'm not making that as a recommendation, just my feeling. I know Great Britain very well. I know, you know, the country very well. I have a lot of investments there. I would say that they're better off without it, but I want them to make their own decision."
A few days ago, in an interview with the Daily Mail, Trump criticised US President Barack Obama for backing the remain campaign.
The outgoing president warned Britain will go to the back of the queue for trade deals if it quits the EU.
Trump said: "I didn't think it was a good thing for him to do it."
He said Obama should have remained more neutral and added: "I would say that I'm not going to give Britain any advice, but I know there are a lot of people that are very, very much against being in the EU."
Trump's UK interests include the Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire and Trump International Golf Links near Aberdeen.
Regarding Trump's backing Brexit, comedy and stage actor Stephen Mangan tweeted:
#Brexit now backed by Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Nigel Farage, George Galloway, Marine Le Pen and Katie Hopkins. pic.twitter.com/mqOcsrwQnT
— Stephen Mangan (@StephenMangan) May 6, 2016
The popular satirical news programme Have I Got News For You tweeted:
#Brexit supporters worried Donald Trump backing will water down the serious political credibility of Farage, Boris, Gove and Galloway.
— HaveIGotNewsForYou (@haveigotnews) May 6, 2016
Prominent Labour MP Chuka Umunna challenged former London Mayor Boris Johnson, who also backs Brexit, to condemn Trump for interference as he condemned President Obama.
Donald Trump has now made it clear he supports Brexit. So Boris, where's your condemnation of interference? ...or do different rules apply
— Chuka Umunna (@ChukaUmunna) May 6, 2016
Michael Sadgrove of Christians 4 Europe said: "Mr Trump is entitled to his view, like Ms Le Pen and Mr Putin. He describes it as a 'feeling', not a recommendation and acknowledges that it's a decision for the UK. I doubt his stance will influence many undecided UK voters. Given his extraordinary remarks about banning Muslims from entering the US, rightly condemned by our Prime Minister, it might just push some waverers into seeing that principled common sense lies not with Brexit but Remain."
