Stop it: Donald Trump asks supporters to cease harassing minorities

Washington:âu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Even as cases of hate crimes against minorities in the US after Donald Trump's election last week have seen a sudden spike, he has asked his supporters to stand down and stop perpetuating bigotry. He also addressed the ongoing protests across the nation against his election by saying in a sitdown interview, "Don't be afraid. We are going to bring our country back, but certainly, don't be afraid," adding, "If Hillary [Clinton] had won and if my people went out and protested, everybody would say, ‘oh, that's a terrible thing,' and it would have been a much different attitude."

When he was pointedly questioned about the numerous racially-charged acts of violence and intimidation that have taken place recently, he first said he hasn't heard much about such things, but after being asked to address his supporters directly, he said, "I would say ‘don't do it, that's terrible, because I'm going to bring this country together," Trump said. "I am so saddened to hear that. And I say, ‘Stop it,' if it helps, I will say this, and I will say right to the cameras: Stop it."