GOP Presidential Hopeful’s Comments Escalate Muslim Rhetoric

By Shaynah Ferreira 12/8/2015

Republicans have escalated their anti-Muslim rhetoric following the November Paris terror attacks.

This ideology has been reflected by some Republican presidential hopefuls, such as Ben Carson who was cited saying, “a Muslim shouldn’t be president.” But the candidate who never fails to make headlines with his plans to address Muslims in the US is GOP presidential candidate, Donald Trump.

Ideas such as not allowing Muslims from war torn countries into the US have not been uncommon among Republicans concerned about US National Security.

However, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has sparked new controversy with his recent anti-Muslim stance, calling for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.”

Trump’s statement crossed the line for most of his rivals in the 2016 race from being concerned for national security and deliberate discrimination against the Muslim minority group.  Republicans did not hesitate to speak out against Trump’s statement.
South Carolina Republican Chairman, Matt More said, ” as a conservative who truly cares about religious liberty, Donald Trump’s bad idea and rhetoric send a shiver down my spine.”

“Donald Trump is unhinged,” Republican presidential candidate and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said via Twitter. He continued to say, “His policy proposals are not serious.”

After unanimous condemnation from his fellow Republicans, Trump shows no sign of remorse for what may have been interpreted as discriminatory language  by voters. However, political experts predict Trump’s rhetoric seems to be aimed at concerned Republican primary voters wary of Muslims especially those who have direct ties with Middle Eastern countries. Trump is expected to visit the majority-Muslim country of Jordan at the end of the month.