Donald Trump Muslims Stands by 9/11 Claims

© Nati Harnik/AP

Trump on 9/11 claims: 'I'm not going to take it back' - Billionaire Donald Trump is defending his disputed claim that "thousands" of Muslims in New Jersey cheered the fall of the twin towers on 9/11.

"You're running for president of the United States. Your words matter. Truthfulness matters," said Chuck Todd, host of NBC’s "Meet The Press," after Trump claimed that comments by people on Twitter and at his events validated his 9/11 assertion.

"Take it easy, Chuck. Just play cool," responded Trump, the GOP front-runner.

"This is people in this country that love our country that saw this, by the hundreds they're calling, and they're tweeting," he added.

"And there's a lot of people. In Sarasota, people were telling me yesterday they used to live in New Jersey. They remember it vividly. They thought it was disgusting."

At one point in the interview, a frustrated Todd said: "But Mr. Trump, this didn't happen in New Jersey. There were plenty of reports. And you're feeding that stereotype."

Trump, speaking over Todd, referred again to unverified reports in The Washington Post of tailgate parties being held in New Jersey to celebrate the 9/11 attacks.

Trump said his campaign team is searching for more evidence.

"We're looking for other articles. And we're looking for other clips," he said.

"And I wouldn't be surprised if we found them, Chuck. But for some reason, they're not that easy to come by."

"I saw it," Trump insisted. "So many people saw it, Chuck. And, so, why would I take it back? I'm not going to take it back."