Ben Carson’s Funding Spikes Following Anti-Muslim Comments

Ben Carson’s anti-Muslim comments may have drawn him condemnation in the press, but they’ve also drawn money to his campaign fund. Carson told Fox News that within 24 hours of the campaign, his Facebook page had acquired over 100,000 new friends and, in comments reported by CNN, he claimed that in the same period an extra $1,000,000 had flowed into his campaign fund.

“The money has been coming in so fast, it’s hard to even keep up with it.”

This claim cannot be verified until his campaign’s quarterly reporting is due for release, but the Facebook likes can. It would seem that for the first time, Carson’s Facebook following has topped Trump’s this week.

Carson’s campaign received a significant profile boost after an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday. When asked if he thought Islam was “consistent with the Constitution,” he responded that he did not, and that the U.S.A. should never elect a Muslim president.

“I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that.”

The anti-Muslim comments caused a furor, with many news outlets and politicians condemning his stance and prominent Muslim groups calling on Carson to pull out of the presidential race. Harris Zafar, writing for CNN, expressed sadness and regret at the stigmatization of Muslims. He pointed to the example of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, which has a long history of civic duty and loyalty to the U.S.A.

Carson’s own reaction was initially confused, with the retired neurosurgeon flip-flopping during the days immediately after the comments were made. On Tuesday, Carson told the Cincinnati Enquirer that he would support a Muslim candidate if “they embrace American values” and place the Constitution “above their religious beliefs.” He went on to claim that his anti-Muslim remarks had been misunderstood or taken out of context.

“It seems to be hard for people actually to hear English and understand it.”

Most newscasters were in agreement, however, that his comments were unequivocally anti-Muslim. Video of the interview posted on Youtube would seem to bear this out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUJvUDdtp8w

On the same day, Carson took a more pugnacious stance when speaking with Fox News Insider, saying that he stood by his remarks. When asked if he would be willing to apologize for any offence caused to Muslims, he said, “Good Lord, no.”

Whether Carson decides that he really meant what he said or not, his comments forced many others in the crowded GOP field to take a position on the Muslim community in America. As reported previously by the Inquisitr, anti-Muslim sentiment has been seen as a key element of many Republican primary campaigns, but the Constitution clearly forbids any kind of religious test for public office. Media outlets around the country have been sharply divided as to exactly how prevalent anti-Muslim sentiment actually is. A recent Gallup poll, however, reported that 38 percent of Americans would not support a Muslim presidential candidate.

Carson is currently trailing real estate mogul Donald Trump and former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina in the polls.

[Picture via Getty Images/Mark Lyons]