US President Barack Obama reiterated today his belief that business tycoon Donald Trump will not be elected in November.
Trump, currently the Republican frontrunner, has been polling well after a series of controversies that include calling Mexicans rapists, insulting his rivals and calling for a ban on Muslim immigration.
"I continue to believe Mr Trump will not be president," Obama told media at a conference in Rancho Mirage, California. "And the reason is because I have a lot of faith in the American people."
Obama insisted that running the country was still considered a serious job.
“It’s not hosting a talk show, or a reality show. It’s not promotion, it’s not marketing,” he said. “It’s hard and a lot of people count on us getting it right.”
Obama brushed off Trump’s success as a product of the frenzied primary season.
“As you get closer, reality has a way of intruding,” Obama said.
“The American people are pretty sensible, I think they’ll make a sensible choice in the end.”
The president also criticised the other Republican candidates, saying “foreign observers are troubled” by their rhetoric.
Trump fired back at Obama immediately.
Speaking at a campaign event in South Carolina, the star of The Apprentice claimed Obama is doing a lousy job.
"He has set us back so far, and for him to actually say that is a great compliment, if you want to know the truth," Trump said.
Newshub.