Trump denies report he’s going to ‘Muslim-majority’ Jordan

Using his official Twitter account, Trump announced “Prior to the end of the year, I will be traveling to Israel. I am very much looking forward to it.” This follows Trump’s remarks at a campaign rally last week, when he said he would be meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “very soon.”

In a separate tweet, the GOP front-runner denied an AP report that he plans to travel to Jordan, following fellow Republican candidate Ben Carson’s visit to Middle Eastern country at the end of November to meet with Syrian refugees.

“Despite my great respect for King Abdullah II, I will not be visiting Jordan at this time,” Trump said, adding, that he was responding to a “false” Associated Press report.

The AP report noted in its headline that Trump was making plans to travel to “Muslim-majority” Jordan, following Trump’s announcement Monday that he was proposing a temporary ban on all Muslim visitors and immigrants from entering the U.S.

The report cited a U.S. official, speaking on the condition on anonymity, who said the U.S. government was making preparation for Trump’s visit to Jordan, which the campaign had requested. The Secret Service is currently charged with protecting Trump and would have to make the necessary preparations for any trip abroad.

Trump’s plan to shut down Muslims entering the U.S. is part of an effort to address fears of a terrorist threat against the West that has metastasized following recent attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, Calif., with ties to the Islamic State.

He said his proposed ban would last “until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on.” He later added that he would allow exceptions for Muslim leaders of foreign governments, American Muslims serving in the military and American Muslims traveling abroad.