Donald Trump is a sexual predator: Salman Rushdie

Salman Rushdie has urged Americans to "focus" as they choose their next president

New York, Nov 5: Booker prize winning Indian-born author Salman Rushdie described Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump as a "sexual predator" and asked Americans to "focus" as they choose their next president.

"Trump will go on trial in November accused of racketeering, and again in December accused of child rape. He is a sexual predator, hasn't released his tax returns, and has used his foundation's money to pay his legal fees," Rushdie said, according to an online post in literary website 'Lithub'.

The website has put together views of 22 renowned writers about Trump as election day approaches after a long campaign cycle, saying "in times like these, it's worth considering the words and insights of those among us who've dedicated their lives to giving voice to thought—but if nothing else, you can at least count on a good writer to come up with an eloquent insult or two."

Rushdie asks America to focus on choosing its next president, saying the spotlight should be on how Trump behaves and not on some emails that Clinton didn't send.

Trump "has abused the family of a war hero and...oh, but let's talk about some emails Hillary didn't send from someone else's computer, that weren't a crime anyway, because that’s how to choose a president. Come on, America. Focus," he said.

Acclaimed British novelist J K Rowling said Trump has the temperament of an "unstable nightclub bouncer", he "jeers" at violence when it breaks out at his rallies and wears his disdain for women and minorities with pride.

Rowling said Trump has offered "unworkable" solutions to complex problems like terrorism and immigration.

"He achieved this pre-eminence by proposing crude, unworkable solutions to complex threats. Terrorism? 'Ban all Muslims!' Immigration? 'Build a wall!' God help America. God help us all," she said.

Expressing concern that Trump's "stubby fingers" are currently within "horrifyingly close reach" of America's nuclear codes, Rowling said the slogan 'Make America Great Again!' comes from a man who is "fascist in all but name".

PTI