Trump's Muslim remarks overshadows Newton stop

Presidential candidate and billionaire Donald Trump drew more than 300 people to the Newton DMACC campus and talked jobs Thursday as part of a live WHO-HD television discussion that packed the auditorium.

The hour-long discussion with the Republican candidate was the third in a series hosted by WHO Political Director Dave Price with potential GOP presidential nominees.

Trump made a late entrance to the forum following a brief discussion on the history of Newton, Maytag and the impact of the jobs lost following the company leaving. Trump jumped right in and answered questions on immigration, getting manufacturing jobs back in the country and the status of the middle class in terms of taxes, fair pay and childcare.

“One of the things that I see in this country is that a lot of people have lost hope, they have lost their spirit, their mojo,” Trump said. “One of the things that is so important is that we have to give people their spirit back, we have to give people hope. You see it all of the time that people don’t think there is any chance. People don’t want to college because they don’t feel that if they can get through it, there is no real hope out there.”

Trump also said he would work to get the jobs that have gone overseas or to Mexico back in the U.S. and work with those still in the country to keep jobs from leaving.

The candidate who is usually known for his off-the-cuff remarks was fairly reserved and spoke mostly about his own policies rather than what other candidates or politicians.

His most controversial comment Thursday was made to an NBC News reporter when he said he would create a mandatory database to track Muslims in the United States

“I would certainly implement that. Absolutely,” Trump said according to video posted on MSNBC.com.

He said Muslims would be signed up at “different places,” adding, “It’s all about management.”

Asked whether registering would be mandatory, Trump responded, “They have to be.”

The report spread quickly and became the focus of his Newton stop.

Those who flocked to see Trump Thursday, mostly Newton residents, had various reasons.

“I came because I wanted to see Donald Trump. I wanted to hear what he has to say about business and hopefully he will inspire other people and convert people to support him,” Mike Brady said.

Newton resident Alan Halferty said he came to the event with is daughter, Serena, a senior at Newton High School, as an educational tool.

“I wanted to get my daughter exposed to the political process so this is one way of doing it, to hear a possible candidate in our own hometown. I thought it was a great opportunity for her to see and hear what is going on particularly with this candidate’s views,” Halferty said. “We’re very interested in hearing about what Mr. Trump has to say about job creation, not only for Newton but for the whole country.”

Following the live event Trump staged a rally where he spoke to and took questions from the crowd. Popular subjects were once again immigration, the issue of Syrian migrants coming to the United States and the recent attacks in Paris.

“I don’t mind helping. Let’s go to Syria, let’s build a big safe area. There is plenty of land over there,” Trump said.

Ironically, with the focus of the forum on jobs, a hiring event that was planned by the Goodwill Career Connections Center at DMACC for Thursday had to be postponed because of the Trump event. Goodwill Career Connections Center Coordinator Miranda Kulis said that they are rescheduling with businesses for more individual dates to interview.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com