Donald Trump 'Islam hates America' claims slammed by Republican rivals at unusually civilised GOP debate

The Republican front-runner attempted to appear more presidential at the debate in Miami as he looks to tighten his grip on the GOP nomination

Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at the Republican U.S. presidential candidates debate sponsored by CNN at the University of Miami in Miami, Florida

Donald Trump claims 'Muslims hate America'

Presidential hopeful Donald Trump came under fire from his Republican rivals at a debate on Thursday after claiming all Muslims hate the United States.
The outspoken front-runner defended his controversial belief that followers of Islam "hate us" as he was grilled at the unusually civilised GOP debate in Florida.
Trump could tighten his grip on the Republican presidential nomination battle if he wins Florida and Ohio on Tuesday.
Speaking at the CNN debate in Miami, the billionaire businessman said: "We have a serious problem of hate. There is tremendous hate."

Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during the Republican candidates debate sponsored by CNN at the University of Miami in Miami, Florida — The Republican front-runner brushed off criticism

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks during the CNN, Salem Media Group, The Washington Times Republican Presidential Primary Debate on the campus of the University of Miami — Ted Cruz is Trump's nearest rival

But fellow candidates, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Ohio Governor John Kasich said the US needs to maintain good relations with Muslim countries in the Middle East to help in the fight against Islamic State militants.
"We are going to have to work with people in the Muslim faith even as Islam faces a serious crisis within it," Rubio said.

Republican presidential candidates, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) is seen during the CNN, Salem Media Group, The Washington Times Republican Presidential Primary Debate on the campus of the University of Miami — Marco Rubio had a successful debate in his home state

Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump puts his hand to his ear to listen to a question at the Republican U.S. presidential candidates debate sponsored by CNN at the University of Miami in Miami, Florida — Trump believes he will win Florida and Ohio

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Rubio also defended American Muslims as patriots.
"If you go anywhere in the world you're going see American men and women serving us in uniform that are Muslims," he said.
"Anyone out there that has the uniform of the United States on and is willing to die for this country is someone that loves America," he added.

Republican Presidential candidate Ohio Governor John Kasich speaks during the CNN Debate in Miami — Ohio Governor John Kasich faces a battle in his home state

Kasich, looking to win his home state of Ohio on Tuesday in order to keep his candidacy going, said Middle Eastern allies in the Arab world are essential.
"The fact is if we're going to defeat ISIS, we're going to have to have those countries," he said, citing Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt.
Trump said he would consider between 20,000 to 30,000 US troops on the ground in the region to help defeat ISIS.
He claimed he would complete the mission quickly and bring them home to focus on rebuilding the United States.

Republican presidential candidates, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Ohio Gov. John Kasich debate during the CNN, Salem Media Group, The Washington Times Republican Presidential Primary Debate on the campus of the University of Miami — The four candidates conducted a far more civilised debate

"We really have no choice, we have to knock out ISIS," Trump said. "I would listen to the generals, but I'm hearing numbers of 20,000 to 30,000."
It was the most detailed view yet of Trump's thinking about Islamic State. He has previously talked of "knocking the hell" out of ISIS without offering specifics.
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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during the CNN, Salem Media Group, The Washington Times Republican Presidential Primary Debate on the campus of the University of Miami — Trump now has the backing of former candidate Ben Carson

The debate took place at a crucial time, days before primary votes in Florida and Ohio that could catapult Trump even further ahead of his rivals despite an intense anti-Trump movement by establishment Republicans who are trying to deny him the party's presidential nomination.
Both the Florida and Ohio Republican primaries award delegates on a winner-take-all basis, meaning that the winner of the popular vote is awarded the state's entire slate of delegates.
So far, 25 states and Puerto Rico have held nominating contests, and Trump has amassed a solid lead in the delegate race.
As it stands, Trump has 458 delegates, followed by Cruz at 359, Rubio at 151, and Kasich at 54.

Republican presidential candidates, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Donald Trump and Ohio Gov. John Kasich (L-R) shake hands at the end of their debate during the CNN, Salem Media Group, The Washington Times Republican Presidential Primary Debate on the campus of the University of Miami — Only four candidates remain in the Republican race

Clinching the Republican nomination requires 1,237 delegates.
Trump appeared to try to appear more presidential, something he has pledged often in the past to do so but never has.
He got a fresh injection of campaign momentum on Thursday with plans by rival Ben Carson, who is popular with conservatives, to endorse him.
Trump said Carson, a retired neurosurgeon who dropped out of the race March 4, would endorse him on Friday at an event in Florida.