Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Offers Support to Muslim Community

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted a reassuring message to Muslims "in our community and around the world" on Wednesday evening. 

"If you're a Muslim in this community, as the leader of Facebook I want you to know that you are always welcome here and that we will fight to protect your rights and create a peaceful and safe environment for you," Zuckerberg promised.

Zuckerberg's words come in the wake of presidential hopeful Donald Trump's call for a "total and complete shutdown" of Muslims entering the U.S. On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Trump's proposal should disqualify him from running for presidency. 

Trump stands by his statement: Trump elaborated on his remarks on MSNBC's Morning Joe Tuesday, comparing his plan to actions undertaken by the U.S. government during the Second World War, when President Franklin Roosevelt sanctioned the internment of Japanese-, German-, and Italian-Americans. When reminded that this is perhaps not the proudest moment in American history, Trump then replied, "We're not talking about internment. This is a whole different thing." 

Reactions from his opponents: Trump's fellow candidates have come out with statements against him. According to Time, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham called him "downright dangerous," New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie responded "ridiculous," and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush labeled him "unhinged." 

His Democratic opponents have been more outspoken: Speaking to Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday's episode of the Tonight Show, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders called Trump a "demagogue" and said of his anti-Muslim rhetoric, "That kind of crap is not going to work in the United States of America." Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley tweeted that Trump is a "fascist," and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accused Trump of "trafficking in prejudice and paranoia," and called his plan "both shameless and dangerous." 

Dec. 9, 2015, 6:47 p.m.: This story has been updated to include additional remarks from Donald Trump and reactions from other presidential candidates.