Donald Trump pulled out of a conservative political forum in South Carolina at the last second Friday, amid criticism that he failed to discredit claims that President Barack Obama is a Muslim and "not even an American."
Trump had been set to speak at the Heritage Action Presidential Forum at the Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, but said he had to cancel in order to conduct a "significant business transaction,"
CNN reports.
"He sends his regrets and looks forward to being with the great people of South Carolina," Trump’s campaign said.
"Mr. Trump has a significant business transaction that was expected to close Thursday. Due to the delay he is unable to attend today’s Heritage Action Presidential Forum."
Others expected to speak were retired pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Marco Rubio of Florida, former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania.
Trump is facing criticism from both Republican and Democratic candidates following caustic remarks made by two men about the president that he failed to correct,
The Hill reports.
One man in the crowd told Trump, "We have a problem in this country — it’s called Muslims … We know our current president is one. You know he’s not even an American. That’s my question, when can we get rid of them?"
Trump answered back, "We’re going to be looking at a lot of different things. A lot of people are saying bad things are happening, [and] we’re going to be looking at that and plenty of other things."
A second man said "I applaud the gentlemen who stood and said that Obama is a Muslim born abroad."
"Right," Trump replied.
Trump’s eleventh-hour withdrawal from the event spurred Jindal to take a playful jab at Trump.
On Twitter, Jindal teased:
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