Donald Trump faces backlash for ‘mocking reporter’s disability’

Republican presidential front runner Donald Trump has stirred up outrage after he appeared to mock a journalist with a disability. The tycoon made the remarks as he defended a recent claim that he had witnessed thousands of Muslims cheering in New Jersey after the 9/11 attacks. Mr Trump criticised New York Times reporter Serge Kovaleski, whose movement is limited by the condition arthrogryposis, over his recollection of an article he wrote days after the attacks. Jerking his arms in front of his body, Mr Trump said: “Now the poor guy - you’ve got to see this guy. 'Ah, I don’t know what I said! I don’t remember.”

He’s going like 'I don’t remember, maybe that’s what I said’. This was 14 years ago, they didn’t do a retraction!

Donald Trump

Mr Trump had cited a 2001 article by Mr Kovaleski, who was working for The Washington Post at the time, when explaining his comment about Muslims celebrating. But the billionaire, 69, was riled when Mr Kovaleski said he did not recall anyone “saying there were thousands, or even hundreds, of people celebrating”. A spokesman for Mr Trump’s campaign said he was “not aware of any condition and was not mocking his physical appearance in any way”. However, the New York Times said: “We think it’s outrageous that he would ridicule the appearance of one of our reporters.”

The sad part about it is, it didn’t in the slightest bit jar or surprise me that Donald Trump would do something this low-rent, given his track record

Reporter Serge Kovaleski