Donald Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE is distancing himself from the suggestion that he wants to create a database to track Muslims in the U.S.

In a tweet on Friday, he said the idea came from a reporter.

I didn't suggest a database-a reporter did. We must defeat Islamic terrorism & have surveillance, including a watch list, to protect America — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 20, 2015

Trump refused to rule out a database and special IDs for Muslims in an interview with Yahoo! on Thursday.

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“Certain things will be done that we never thought would happen in this country in terms of information and learning about the enemy,” he said when asked if he would implement the programs.

After he was asked about the comment later that evening by an NBC News reporter, Trump said he would “certainly implement” a database to track Muslims in the U.S.



When asked whether Muslims would be legally required to sign up for the database, he said, “They have to be. They have to be.”

The GOP primary front-runner has been widely criticized for the controversial comments that come after the terrorist attack in Paris last week.



Fellow Republican presidential candidates Jeb Bush and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) have refused to back the plans.



Democratic primary front-runner Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot Poll: 51 percent of voters want to abolish the electoral college MORE said Trump’s rhetoric on Muslims is “shocking," while rival Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Bernie Sanders warns of 'nightmare scenario' if Trump refuses election results Harris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda MORE called it "outrageous and bigoted."

-Updated at 4:26 p.m.