"Ronald Reagan was a Democrat, and he was sort of liberal," Trump told Fox News's Sean Hannity. "He was a Democrat with a liberal bent and he became a great conservative. … He had something very special. … If you think of it, he was a little bit less conservative than people think, but he had a great heart, and I have a great heart."

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Reagan was a registered Democrat for much of his adult life. Trump has donated to Republicans and Democrats in the past, which the billionaire businessman says shows his business savvy.

Trump's comments come as he has maintained the top spot in Republican presidential primary polls following last week's first presidential debate in Cleveland.

Conservatives have in recent weeks attacked Trump's positions on issues such as abortion.

Earlier Tuesday, Trump said on CNN's "New Day" that he would "look at the good aspects of [Planned Parenthood], and I would look at other aspects also, but we have to take care of women."

"Certainly the abortion aspect of it should not be funded by government, absolutely,” Trump said on CNN.

Conservatives are arguing to remove federal funding for Planned Parenthood, especially following controversial videos that were released in recent weeks showing officials discussing the pricing of fetal tissue.