Donald Trump spoke in greater detail about his proposal to stop allowing Muslims into the United States in an interview with CNN Wednesday, while also addressing the criticism he has been receiving from politicians and pundits since he announced the controversial plan on Monday.

'I'm doing good for the Muslims,' Trump told CNN's Don Lemon, adding that many of his Islamic friends have said his idea to ban Muslims is 'brilliant.'

He also said of the criticism he is receiving over his perceived Islamophobia; 'I am the least racist person you have ever met.'

Earlier in the day, boxing legend Muhammad Ali criticized the Republican presidential front-runner proposal and calling on Muslims 'to stand up to those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda'.

Ali, one of the most famous Muslims in the world, issued a statement saying, 'True Muslims know that the ruthless violence of so called Islamic Jihadists goes against the very tenets of our religion.'

He added: 'I believe that our political leaders should use their position to bring understanding about the religion of Islam and clarify that these misguided murderers have perverted people's views on what Islam really is.'

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Fighting words: Trump (above on CNN) mocked Ali earlier this week after President Obama gave a speech citing great Muslim athletes saying; 'What sport is he talking about'

Old friends, new foes: Muhammad Ali released a statement attacking Donald Trump and his proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States (above in 2007)

Ali's statement Wednesday, first reported by NBC News, did not identify Trump by name but was directed at 'presidential candidates proposing to ban Muslim immigration to the United States'.

'They have alienated many from learning about Islam,' Ali wrote.

Many Muslim friends of mine are in agreement with me. They say, 'Donald, you brought something up to the fore that is so brilliant and so fantastic.'

Trump meanwhile appeared on CNN to talk about his ban, rumors he is considering a third party run and how he feels about some now comparing him to Hitler.

'Many Muslim friends of mine are in agreement with me. They say, "Donald, you brought something up to the fore that is so brilliant and so fantastic,"' Trump told Don Lemon.

He went on to say that 'one of the most important people in Middle East' thanked him for his plan.

As for whether or not Trump feared how this might impact his own business dealings in the Middle East, he said; 'What I am doing right now is far more important than any business in the Middle East.'

Tough questions: lemon asked Trump about whether or not he was racist and comparisons to Hitler

When asked about the backlash and criticism he has been receiving from politicians and pundits, Trump responded by saying; 'The group that is not criticizing me is the public. The public agrees with what I said. They saw those two animals go out last week and shoot people.'

The 'animals' he is referring to are San Bernardino shooters Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik.

Lemon then pointed out that these two were already in the country to which Trump then blamed Malik, claiming; 'She came in. She came in and probably radicalized him. She came in.

'She went to a school. people that knew her said she very radical. And she came in. It's a problem.'

Trump also reiterated later in the interview his stance against bringing in Syrian refugees because it could be like 'the ultimate Trojan horse.'

PHILADELPHIA MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER ON TRUMP 'He's an a**hole. How can I take seriously any foreign policy idea from someone like him? It's impossible. He has no idea what he's talking about. 'This is the same tactic and strategy [as Hitler]. Find an enemy, convince people they're the enemy, blame every problem on them and then try to get rid of them. Donald Trump is literally trying to radicalize our fellow Americans against our American Muslim and international Muslim brothers and sisters. 'There's no way I'm going to sit in a room with that idiot.' Advertisement

As for the Hitler comparisons coming his way, Trump said; 'If that were true, it would bother me tremendously. But of course if you were a racist you probably wouldn't care.

'But if things are true, it would bother me. But if it's so false, and honestly I don't hear it often.'

When Lemon later pressed Trump about whether or not he was racist, Trump replied; 'I am the least racist person that you have ever met.'

Trump explained his reasons for all this by saying; 'We can't be politically correct stupid people. We have a president, I think he's a stupid person.

'There's no way a normal president can make the speech he made the other night.'

This was in reference to Obama's speech on Sunday about the threat of terrorism from the Oval Office which Trump said was lacking and should have been more assertive and aggressive in stating how the United states would defeat ISIS.

He then addressed Obama's military maneuvers.

'When he sends 50 troops into harms way he shouldn't announce it,' said Trump of Obama.

'Because then they have targets on their back. They have targets on their heart.'

Trump then said he would share little to nothing if he were elected to keep an element of surprise.

'I am a person who happens to be very smart and I happen to have a certain street sense and I know where things are going,' said Trump.

As an example he pointed out how in 200 he said the United States needed to take down Osama bin Laden a year before the 9/11 attacks.

The comparisons Trump's Muslim plan have been getting to the Japanese-American internment camps were next addressed by Lemon, and Trump was quick to point out that Franklin Delano Roosevelt was behind this, a man most consider to be a 'great president.'

'What I'm talking about is nothing by comparison [to Roosevelt]. So you have Roosevelt, who everybody loves - especially people on the opposite side of what i believe, meaning on the liberal side - they love him.

'He's like their all-time hero. He can do it, nobody says anything. And that was ten times worse than anything I'm talking about.'

MARK ZUCKERBERG VOICES SUPPORT FOR MUSLIMS 'I want to add my voice in support of Muslims in our community and around the world. 'After the Paris attacks and hate this week, I can only imagine the fear Muslims feel that they will be persecuted for the actions of others. 'As a Jew, my parents taught me that we must stand up against attacks on all communities. Even if an attack isn't against you today, in time attacks on freedom for anyone will hurt everyone.' Advertisement

Lemon tried to get his actually question out at that point and Trump, as he does without fail during every interview, immediately cut him off, telling him his questions were part of the problems and that he wanted to be straight.

'There's something out there that is evil. There's something out there that is causing problems.'

He then criticized Obama's leadership again, saying the country is the worst it has ever been, pointing out the recent riots and protests in Ferguson, Baltimore and Chicago.

When Lemon asked him if that was the president's fault, Trump said that Obama is supposed to be a 'healer' and has not been a good 'cheerleader'.

Trump then said if he becomes president people will be amazed at how he brings everyone together. And how much more respect the country will get.

'We're always like the dummies that do so much and we get nothing for it,' said Trump about the United States.

Then came the other big question - would he consider a third party run.

Trump recently pointed out a poll - taken before he announced his Muslim ban - that claims 68% of his supporters would vote for him even if he left the Republican ticket and ran as an independent.

He said his decision all depends in the behavior of one group - the Republicans.

'If they don't treat me with a certain amount of decorum and respect. If they don't treat me as the front-runner. By far the frontrunner. If the playing field is not level, then certainly all options are open,' said Trump.

'But that's nothing I want to do... I think I'll know that over a period of a couple months. We'll go through the primaries. We'll see what happens, and I'll make a determination.'

Long talk: Trump's interview with Lemon was one of the longest the candidate has had in weeks

As for what to expect from a Trump presidency, he said; 'If I win, I want to be unpredictable.'

He also again said that he can beat Hillary Clinton and that he has 'an awfully good chance of becoming the nominee'.

He pointed out to Lemon that given how high his numbers were, even other dropping out of the race would not give them enough support to surpass him in the polls.

If I win, I want to be unpredictable. Donald Trump

He also said that he believes that he will win the African-American vote and the Hispanic vote if he wins the Republican nomination.

Finally, when Trump was asked about not being named Time's Person of the Year he pointed out that he was on the cover four weeks ago - though in fact it was in August almost four months ago.

He said he did not win because he is not part of the 'establishment', also the reason he claims to have never won an Emmy for his show The Apprentice.

Trump said he used to be a fan of the person who did receive the honor, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, but is not anymore.

'I think what she's done to Germany is a sad thing. I think it's a very sad thing,' said Trump of Merkel, who has allowed Syrian refugees into her country.