I am a truth teller: Donald Trump

Washington, Aug 12: Describing himself as a truth teller, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said that he would continue with his policy even at the risk of defeat in the November general elections. "Look, all I do is tell the truth. I'm a truth teller. All I do is tell the truth," Trump told CNBC News.

"If at the end of 90 days I fall in short because I'm somewhat politically correct even though I'm supposed to be the smart one and even though I'm supposed to have a lot of good ideas, it's okay. I go back to a very good way of life. It's not what I'm looking to do. I think we're going to have a victory, but we'll see," the 70-year-old Republican said.

Trump was responding to questions on his controversial statement that President Barack Obama and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton are the founders of ISIS.

"What's remarkable about Trump's comments is that once again, he's echoing the talking points of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and our adversaries to attack American leaders and American interests, while failing to offer any serious plans to confront terrorism or make this country more secure," Jake Sullivan of the Clinton Campaign said.

Trump stood by his allegations. "He (Obama) was the founder of ISIS, absolutely. The way he removed our troops. Shouldn't have gone in. I was against the war in Iraq even though I was a civilian and no one cared. I was totally against it even though sifs [sic] civilian so nobody cared," he said.

"I wouldn't have gone into Iraq. That was a horrible mistake. One of the worst mistakes in the history of our country we destabilised the Middle East. We've been paying the price of it for years. But he was absolutely the founder. In fact, he gets in sports they have awards he gets the most valuable player award. Him and Hillary. She gets it too," he said.

"I gave her co-founder if you really looked at this speech. I think you probably did. But he and Hillary get the most valuable player award having to do with Iraq. And having to do with the ISIS situation or as he would call it ISIL," Trump said. "He calls it ISIL because nobody else does and probably wants to bother people by using another term. Whether it's more accurate or not. Most people call it ISIS; he calls it ISIL. It's ISIS. He was the founder of ISIS and so was she. I call them co-founders," Trump said and insisted that there is nothing wrong in saying that.

PTI