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US Election 2016: Donald Trump softens stance on Muslim ban | US Election 2016: Donald Trump softens stance on Muslim ban |
(35 minutes later) | |
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump appears to have softened his stance on temporarily barring Muslims from travelling to the US. | Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump appears to have softened his stance on temporarily barring Muslims from travelling to the US. |
Responding to remarks by new London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Mr Trump told Fox News the ban was "just a suggestion". | Responding to remarks by new London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Mr Trump told Fox News the ban was "just a suggestion". |
Mr Khan has expressed concern that he would not be able to travel to the US under a Trump administration because of his Muslim faith. | Mr Khan has expressed concern that he would not be able to travel to the US under a Trump administration because of his Muslim faith. |
Mr Trump had offered to make an "exception" for Mr Khan. | Mr Trump had offered to make an "exception" for Mr Khan. |
Mr Khan refused Mr Trump's offer, saying the New York businessman's views were "ignorant" and would make the UK and the US "less safe". | Mr Khan refused Mr Trump's offer, saying the New York businessman's views were "ignorant" and would make the UK and the US "less safe". |
Mr Trump proposed a ban on Muslims entering the US after attacks in Paris killed 130 people last year. | Mr Trump proposed a ban on Muslims entering the US after attacks in Paris killed 130 people last year. |
The suggested ban has been widely criticised in the US and abroad but Mr Trump until now has stood by the proposal, saying it was needed to ensure US security. | The suggested ban has been widely criticised in the US and abroad but Mr Trump until now has stood by the proposal, saying it was needed to ensure US security. |
"It's a temporary ban. It hasn't been called for yet," Mr Trump said on Wednesday. "This is just a suggestion until we find out what's going on." | "It's a temporary ban. It hasn't been called for yet," Mr Trump said on Wednesday. "This is just a suggestion until we find out what's going on." |
Mr Trump has shifted positions in the past on a variety of issues only to change his stance days later. | Mr Trump has shifted positions in the past on a variety of issues only to change his stance days later. |
Analysis: Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America reporter | |
It's likely no coincidence that Donald Trump has softened the rhetoric surrounding his call for a sweeping ban on Muslim immigration into the US on the eve of his closely watched Washington meeting with House Speaker Paul Ryan. | |
When Mr Trump first unveiled his proposal, Mr Paul's response was short and sharp. | |
"This is not conservatism," he said. | |
At the time Mr Paul's voice was just one of many in the Republican establishment condemning what seemed an extremely controversial proposal from the New York businessman. | |
Now Mr Trump is the presumptive nominee, and that Republican establishment has been moving - grudgingly - toward backing their new standard-bearer. Mr Ryan has been a holdout, however, saying he wants evidence that Mr Trump shares conservative values and principles. | |
Mr Trump's latest rhetorical swivel could be an olive branch to the speaker - and, perhaps, a fig leaf allowing Mr Ryan to eventually offer his support. | |
He has often given conflicting accounts on issues including his tax plan, abortion and transgender people accessing public toilets. | He has often given conflicting accounts on issues including his tax plan, abortion and transgender people accessing public toilets. |
This flexibility has led to concerns among Republican Party leaders about his candidacy. | This flexibility has led to concerns among Republican Party leaders about his candidacy. |
Top Republicans including House Speaker Paul Ryan have said they are not ready to support Mr Trump in the general election. | Top Republicans including House Speaker Paul Ryan have said they are not ready to support Mr Trump in the general election. |
Mr Trump will meet Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Mr Ryan and others on Thursday in an attempt to resolve differences. | Mr Trump will meet Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Mr Ryan and others on Thursday in an attempt to resolve differences. |