Trump has no regrets about Muslim comments

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump says he has no regrets about his call to bar Muslims from entering the United States.

“Not at all,” Trump said in an interview on Tuesday with Barbara Walters of ABC News.

{mosads}“We have to do the right thing,” added Trump, who said he has “great respect and love” as well as “tremendous relationships” with Muslims who he said agree with his remarks.

Trump also said barring Muslims from entering the country would be a “short-term” measure until elected leaders can “figure out what is going on.”

Pressed on the timeline, Trump said, “It could be very quickly if our country can get its act together.”

“We don’t know what’s happening. We have a president that doesn’t have a clue. We need toughness and smartness and we have to do it quickly,” he said.

Asked if he’s a bigot, Trump responded that he’s “probably the least [bigoted] of anybody you’ve ever met.”

“I’m a person that has common sense. I’m a smart person. I know how to run things. I know how to make America great again,” he said.

Trump’s call for a ban on Muslims entering the U.S. drew widespread criticism from Republicans. And after the candidates previous remarks, such as calling for heightened surveillance of American Muslims and mosques, many Republicans worry the rhetoric could hurt their party.

But the comments have yet to hurt Trump.

A poll released on Tuesday showed him expanding his lead in early-voting New Hampshire.

While a Monmouth University poll found Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) surpassing him in Iowa, a separate CNN poll showed Trump with the lead.