New York, NY - When it comes to defending himself against accusations of racism, Donald Trump is less than convincing. Indeed, if it was a task on The Apprentice, he'd be fired. The Donald seemed to put his foot further into his mouth today while trying to explain his obsession with the Barack Obama 'birther' issue. He was part of a phone interview on Fox & Friends, with hosts Steve Doocy, Gretchen Carlson and Brian Kilmeade.

Mr Trump was answering questions about a campaign by Van Jones and Color Of Change, a political advocacy group for African-Americans, to get Celebrity Apprentice contestants Star Jones and Lil Jon to condemn Mr Trump for 'race-baiting'. He said: 'When it comes to racism and racists, I am the least racist person there is. And I think most people that know me would tell you that. I am the least racist. I've had great relationships.' Then, seemingly hitting on proof,

Mr Trump quickly and triumphantly added: 'In fact, Randal Pinkett won on The Apprentice a little while ago, a couple years ago, and Randal's been outstanding in every way. So I am the least racist person.' Mr Doocy especially seemed hard-pressed to stop himself from laughing at the assertion, and comments under the ensuing YouTube clip have been less than kind. One comment summed it up with: 'Translation - I even let a black guy win my show.' Mr Pinkett won The Apprentice in 2005, and was the first African-American contestant to do so.

Color Of Change is convinced that it is Mr Trump's prejudice that made him the most vociferous in the bid to force President Obama to produce his birth certificate. In a statement the organization said: 'This is the first organized attempt to target these celebrities and demand that they, as prominent African-Americans, take a public stance against Donald Trump's ongoing attacks against President Obama.'

Of course, it is not the first time that Mr Trump has chosen his words poorly when trying to defend himself. In April this year, at the height of the birther issue, he tried to fend off accusations of racism by explaining: 'I've always had a great relationships with the blacks. Some of my best friends are blacks.' Nor is it the first time the outspoken and opinionated entrepreneur has been accused of racial prejudice.

The year before Pinkett won on The Apprentice, the show and Mr Trump were criticized for a task that involved a black contestant selling candy in front of a New York subway. The same contestant was later fired because, among other things, he was too ambitious and had an 'unbelievable resume'. In the 1970s Mr Trump was sued by the federal government for discriminating against non-white renters in some of his New York buildings.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1385370/Donald-Trump-trips-saying-hes-racist-black-man-won-The-Apprentice--2005.html#ixzz1LxUZ7zdz