Donald Trump defended his controversial argument that President Obama and Hillary Clinton founded the Islamic State by suggesting the media had misinterpreted his "sarcasm."

The Republican nominee repeated the statements several times this week amid criticism from the Clinton campaign that Trump was "echoing the talking points of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin."

Ratings challenged @CNN reports so seriously that I call President Obama (and Clinton) "the founder" of ISIS, & MVP. THEY DON'T GET SARCASM? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2016



In an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt Thursday, Trump was offered an opportunity to clarify his remarks when Hewitt asked if he simply meant that Obama's policies had created the conditions for the Islamic State to thrive.

"No, I meant he's the founder of ISIS," Trump said.

Democrats and even some Republicans have condemned the comments as the latest example of Trump's inflammatory rhetoric.

But the Republican nominee signaled Friday that he considered the dust-up a result of media bias.