Story highlights
- Trump has claimed "rapists" and "killers" are migrating to the U.S. from Mexico
- NBC Universal, Univision have cut ties with Trump
- He is No. 2 in the latest CNN/ORC national poll, behind Jeb Bush
Washington (CNN)Businessman Donald Trump continued his verbal attack against illegal immigrants on Wednesday, in an interview on CNN Tonight with Don Lemon.
He has stirred up controversy in recent days for claiming "rapists" and "killers" are migrating over the United States' southern border. Univision and NBC Universal have cut ties with the businessman, refusing to air the "Miss Universe" pageant he partially owns as a result, and Macy's announced Wednesday it was also discontinuing his clothing line.
On Wednesday, Trump, who is a Republican presidential candidate, told Lemon he was pulling his facts from a Fusion article.
Poll: Trump makes gains with voters 03:10
"Well if you look at the statistics of people coming, you look at the statistics on rape, on crime, on everything coming in illegally into this country it's mind-boggling!" he told Lemon, in a clip previewed on CNN's "Situation Room."
"If you go to Fusion, you will see a story: About 80% of the women coming in, you know who owns Fusion? Univision! Go to Fusion and pick up the stories on rape. It's unbelievable when you look at what's going on. So all I'm doing is telling the truth," Trump said.
Lemon replied that the press stories are about women being raped, but not about criminals coming across the border.
"Well, somebody's doing the raping, Don! I mean somebody's doing it! Who's doing the raping? Who's doing the raping?" he asked.
Photos: Donald Trump in the public eye
Business mogul Donald Trump announces his candidacy for the U.S. presidency at Trump Tower on Tuesday, June 16, 2015, in New York City.
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Donald Trump attends golf legend Jack Nicklaus' Congressional Gold Medal ceremony on March 24, 2015, in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Trump announced on March 18 that he had launched a presidential exploratory committee.
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Trump speaks to guests at the Iowa Freedom Summit on January 24, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa.
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As chairman and president of the Trump Organization and the founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts, Trump speaks during day two of the Republican Leadership Conference on May 30, 2014, in New Orleans.
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Former U.S. vice presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Trump walk toward a limousine after leaving Trump Tower, at 56th Street and Fifth Avenue, on May 31, 2011, in New York City.
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Trump looks out the window of his limousine after visiting Newick's Lobster House on April 27, 2011, in Dover, New Hampshire.
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Trump speaks to the media at Pease International Tradeport on April 27, 2011, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
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Trump speaks to a crowd at the Palm Beach County Tax Day Tea Party on April 16, 2011, at Sanborn Square in Boca Raton, Florida.
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Trump and his wife, Melania, attend the Michael Kors Spring 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Theater at Lincoln Center on September 15, 2010, in New York City.
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Trump kisses Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez as they arrive at the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on August 23, 2010, in Las Vegas.
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Trump and his children Eric (second from left), Ivanka and Donald Jr. attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Trump SoHo New York at Trump SoHo on April 9, 2010, in New York City.
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Trump, his daughter Ivanka, wife Melania and son Barron attend the "The Trump Card: Playing to Win in Work and Life" book launch celebration at Trump Tower on October 14, 2009, in New York City.
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Trump and professional tennis player Serena Williams attend the Gucci cocktail party for the Foundation For the Advancement of Women Now at Gucci Fifth Avenue on September 16, 2009, in New York City.
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Trump and his wife, Melania, left, attend the launch of Trump International Hotel and Tower Dubai with model Heidi Klum on June 23, 2008, at the Park Avenue Plaza in New York City.
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Trump attends the debut of a Lego replica of the Trump International Hotel & Tower Dubai on June 23, 2008, at Central Park in New York City.
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Trump attends the announcement of a partnership with Affliction Entertainment on June 5, 2008, at Trump Tower in New York City.
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Trump attends the Donald Trump Friars Club Roast Luncheon at the New York Hilton on October 15, 2004, in New York City.
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Trump poses with the new Donald Trump 12-inch talking doll on September 29, 2004, at the Toys 'R' Us store in New York City.
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Trump arrives at "The Apprentice" casting call in Trump Tower on July 30, 2004, in New York City.
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Trump dips Marla Maples after the couple married in a private ceremony amid tight security at the Plaza Hotel on December 20, 1993, following a six-year courtship.
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Trump and his wife, Ivana, arrive at a social engagement on December 4, 1989, in New York.
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Trump sits at No. 2 among GOP presidential candidates in the latest CNN/ORC national poll. He told Lemon he is surprised only that he's trailing Jeb Bush, not that he's doing so well.
"I don't get it. He's in favor of Common Core, extremely weak on immigration. He thinks people come over for love. I don't understand why he's in first place," Trump said. "Maybe it's the Bush name. Last thing we need is another Bush. But I will tell you, I'm a little surprised he's in the position he's in."