Nigel Farage says Donald Trump's anti-Muslim rhetoric makes him 'very uncomfortable'
'We may speak the same language, but the cultural differences are really big,' the former UKIP leader says of Mr Trump's supporters
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Nigel Farage feels "very uncomfortable" about Donald Trump's anti-Muslim rhetoric, the former UKIP leader has said.
And Republican supporters who have cheered a presidential candidate who wants to block Muslims from entering the United States and oppose any gun controls make Mr Farage feel "left wing" and confused.
The MEP said he liked Mr Trump's "daring" anti-establishment message, but rapidly distanced himself from the Republican nominee's inflammatory comments about Muslims when challenged by a journalist.
"I think that what [Mr Trump] said about Muslims, and we've got other politicians in Europe doing the same, if we're labelling a whole section of our community effectively bad, that is not the way forward," he told Sky News.
French politician Marine Le Pen, head of Eurosceptic National Front party, has previously been cleared of inciting hatred towards Muslims after comparing Islamic prayers in the street to Nazi occupation.
Mr Farage was recently been reported to the police for inciting racial hatred over UKIP's poster showing Middle Eastern refugees with the words "Breaking Point" written over them. More than 40,000 people signed the complaint against him.
Meanwhile, reports of hate crime against Eastern European, black, minority ethnic and disabled UK citizens and workers have risen 42 per cent on last year since the Brexit campaign.
When asked whether he felt "left-wing" in Cleveland, Mr Farage said "very much so".
"We may speak the same language, but the cultural differences are really big," he said, citing Republican opposition to healthcare provision as an example.
Mr Farage has himself advocated for an insurance or privately-run healthcare system in the past.
He also said Chris Christie urging the crowd to chant "Lock her up, lock her up" in reference to Democrat nominee Hilary Clinton, and Mr Trump allegedly encouraging his supporters to beat up protesters at rallies made him think "is really happening?"
Unequivocal support for the right to buy and carry guns was "crazy", he added.
"I think it's absolutely mad that you can go to a supermarket and buy a rifle without basically proving who you are," he said.
"I think some of that stuff [on gun law] is really strange."
Last year, Mr Farage claimed that some Muslims wanted to form a "fifth column and kill us".
And following the terrorist attacks in Paris in November, he said "there is a problem with some of the Muslim community in this country. There is a problem and we have to be honest about it."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments