At GOP debate, Jeb Bush fights Donald Trump over proposed Muslim ban


Donald Trump's proposal to ban all Muslims from visiting the U.S. was the most discussed moment of his campaign, Fox Business host Maria Bartiroma said at Thursday's GOP debate. She then asked Trump if he wanted to reconsider his proposal. "No," Trump said. "We have to stop with political correctness." He also said that his "many Muslim friends" have thanked him for the proposal, telling him it is time for the U.S. to stop being "the stupid country."
Jeb Bush stepped in. "I hope you'll reconsider," he told Trump, explaining that the Kurds, the most reliable U.S. ally in the fight against the Islamic State, are Muslim, as are the Sunni Arabs we need for the ISIS fight. Fixing the visa program is needed, Bush added, but "all Muslims? Seriously?" He later reiterated that Trump's Muslim ban is "unhinged" and "big talk." Trump shot back, repeating ""I want security for this country. I want security," and suggesting that in America's Muslim-American community, "there's something going on, and it's bad."
Bartiromo then asked all the other candidates if they agreed with Trump. Gov. John Kasich (Ohio) sided with Bush, but Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) attacked ISIS, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) attacked Obama, and Ben Carson said the U.S. should consult Israel and Jordan on immigration.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Marya E. Gates' 6 favorite books about women filmmakers and directors
Feature The film writer recommends works by Julie Dash, Sofia Coppola, and more
-
Donald Trump's jumbo-sized corruption | May 14 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Wednesday's editorial cartoons feature artificial intelligence, Democratic attempts to reach rural voters, a tariff deal with Xi Jinping, the U.S. economy, tariffs, and habeas corpus.
-
Israel-US 'rift': is Trump losing patience with Netanyahu?
Today's Big Question US president called for an end to Gaza war and negotiated directly with Hamas to return American hostage, amid rumours of strained relations
-
Hamas frees US hostage in deal sidelining Israel
speed read Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old soldier, was the final living US citizen held by the militant group
-
White Afrikaners land in US as Trump-declared refugees
speed read An exception was made to Trump's near-total ban on admitting refugees for the white South Africans
-
Qatar luxury jet gift clouds Trump trip to Mideast
speed read Qatar is said to be presenting Trump with a $400 million plane, which would be among the biggest foreign gifts ever received by the US government
-
Trump taps Fox News' Pirro for DC attorney post
speed read The president has named Fox News host Jeanine Pirro to be the top federal prosecutor for Washington, replacing acting US Attorney Ed Martin
-
Trump, UK's Starmer outline first post-tariff deal
speed read President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Kier Starmer struck a 'historic' agreement to eliminate some of the former's imposed tariffs
-
Fed leaves rates unchanged as Powell warns on tariffs
speed read The Federal Reserve says the risks of higher inflation and unemployment are increasing under Trump's tariffs
-
Denmark to grill US envoy on Greenland spying report
speed read The Trump administration ramped up spying on Greenland, says reporting by The Wall Street Journal
-
Supreme Court allows transgender troop ban
speed read The US Supreme Court will let the Trump administration begin executing its ban on transgender military service members