13 Dec 2015

Trump in twitter spat with Saudi prince

9:34 am on 13 December 2015

A Saudi prince has called Donald Trump a disgrace to the United States, following his call for a ban on Muslims entering the country.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump Photo: AFP

"Withdraw from the US presidential race as you will never win."

Mr Trump responded by accusing the prince of wanting to use what he called "daddy's money" to control US politicians.

That would not happen, Mr Trump said, when he got elected.

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a billionaire businessman, demanded on Twitter that the Republican front-runner withdraw from the presidential race.

Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed bin Talal

Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Photo: AFP

Mr Trump responded by tweeting: "The dopey prince Alwaleed wants to control US politicians with Daddy's money. Can't do it when I get elected."

The Republican presidential contender called for the ban on Muslim immigration in response to the fatal shootings in San Bernadino, California, earlier this month by a Muslim couple.

In a press release published in the wake of the killings, he wrote that he is "calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on".

The release created a huge backlash, including a petition submitted to British Parliament demanding that Mr Trump not be allowed into the country.

Mr Trump's comments have already cost him business in the Middle East, including a major chain of department stores halting the sale of his lines of household items.

However, he holds onto his commanding lead in the race for the Republican nomination for the White House, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.

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