US presidential candidate Donald Trump has sparked fresh outrage by claiming that thousands of Arabs in New Jersey celebrated the 9/11 attacks. The remarks were swiftly condemned by the mayor of Jersey City, who called them 'plain wrong' and accused the Republican of 'shameful politicising'.
Speaking at a rally in Alabama, Trump said he watched 'thousands and thousands of people cheering as that building was coming down' in Jersey City. He later told a Sunday talk show that the cheering came from 'large Arab populations' in the area.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop issued a statement refuting the claim, noting that the city was among the first to send responders to help in lower Manhattan. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a rival for the Republican nomination, said he did not recall any such celebrations.
The comments come amid heightened national security concerns following the Paris attacks, with Trump also calling for increased surveillance of Muslims. Fact-checking website Politifact rated his 9/11 claims as 'pants on fire'.
At the same rally, a Black Lives Matter protester was removed, with Trump suggesting on Fox News that the man 'should have been roughed up'.
