Donald Trump appeals to lowest common denominator: Stephen Hawking

Donald Trump is a "demagogue", says the physicist many consider to be the world's smartest man.

Stephen Hawking's research and theories have successfully explained some of the greatest mysteries behind time and space, but he could not fathom the success of Trump.

"He’s a demagogue who seems to appeal to the lowest common denominator," Hawking told the British morning show Good Morning Britain.

Hawking can only communicate using a computer program he operates with the movement of his cheek.

The one-letter-at-at-time process means his opinion on Trump has been well-considered.

Hawking also weighed in on the looming referendum to decide whether the UK should stay in the European Union.

"Gone are the days when we could stand on our own, against the world," he said.

"We need to be part of a larger group of nations, both for our security and our trade.

"The possibility of our leaving the EU has already led to a sharp fall in the pound, because the markets judge that it will damage our economy."

Trump is now the presumptive nominee for the Republican Party in the upcoming presidential election.