Trump defends ‘sarcastic’ ISIL comments against Obama and Clinton

Republican Donald Trump has defended his claims President Barack Obama and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton are the founders of Islamic State militant group.

Mr Trump claimed he was using “sarcasm” when he called Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton the founders of ISIL (also known as ISIS) earlier this week.

The Republican nominee first made the unfounded claim earlier on Wednesday and repeated it through the week, including in an interview on Thursday with US radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt.

"I said Obama is the founder of ISIS. The founder! And these dishonest media people, they're the most dishonest people," Mr Trump said.

"I meant he's (Obama) the founder of ISIS. I do. He was the most valuable player”, he said, adding Mrs Clinton also deserved an “MVP award” for her alleged ties with the militant group.

Mr Trump used sarcasm as a defence earlier this year after he was heavily criticised for inviting Russia to dig up tens of thousands of "missing" emails from Mrs Clinton's time as US secretary of state.

A new poll showed Mr Trump, whose unfiltered speaking style has repeatedly landed him in hot water, has lost ground in three crucial states ahead of the November 8 general election against Mrs Clinton.

The poll found the Democratic nominee was widening her lead in Colorado, Virginia and North Carolina, while holding her advantage in Florida.

Nearly one-fifth of registered Republicans now want Mr Trump to drop out of the race for the White House, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released earlier this week.

With RAW