WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Wednesday accused President Barack Obama of founding the Islamic State (IS) group.

Addressing supporters at a rally in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, the real estate tycoon said the jihadist group is “honoring President Obama.”

“He is the founder of ISIS,” Trump said, using a term for the IS group.  “He’s the founder of ISIS, okay?” he added. “He’s the founder! He founded ISIS.”

The brash billionaire went on to criticize his Democratic rival for the White House.

“And I would say, the co-founder would be crooked Hillary Clinton,” he said.  Trump has suffered what critics insist is a long string of missteps that have marred his campaign since he officially won the nomination last month.

Earlier on Wednesday, Clinton sternly warned Trump about his “casual inciting” of violence, saying he “crossed the line” after he caused a firestorm by suggesting that people who support gun rights could take action to stop her from appointing US Supreme Court justices if elected president.—AFP