White House race not 'reality show': Obama takes aim at Trump

May 07, 2016 00:22

In his first comment on Donald Trump after he was declared presumptive Republican nominee, United States President Barack Obama on Friday warned that the race to the White House was not a "reality show" and called for a close scrutiny of the controversial billionaire's past record and statements.

"This is not entertainment, this is not a reality show. This is a contest for the presidency of the US," Obama said.

"With respect to the Republican process and Mr Trump, there's going to be plenty of time to talk about his positions on various issues. He has a long record that needs to be examined. And I think it's important for us to take seriously the statements he's made in the past," Obama told reporters.

This was Obama's first comment on Trump, who has courted controversies on several matters including on migrant issue and inconsistent foreign policy stance, after the outspoken real-estate mogul became the presumptive nominee last week.

Trump has provoked number of protests with his controversial speeches and proposals ranging from banning Muslims from entering the US to building a wall to keep out Mexican migrants to slashing US funding for NATO.

"I think I just want to emphasize the degree to which we are in serious times and this is a really serious job," Obama said and added that every candidate, every nominee needs to be subject to exacting standards and genuine scrutiny.

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