Renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking may have solved the black hole paradox and penned a book presenting one of the most complex theories of physics, but he can’t explain Donald Trump’s popularity.
On Tuesday, Hawking told ITV’s Good Morning Britain he has no explanation as to why Trump has become the presumptive Republican Party presidential nominee.
“He is a demagogue who seems to appeal to the lowest common denominator,” he said.
A “demagogue” is defined as a political leader “who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument.”
Trump has not been well received by politicians in the UK. In fact, in January, British lawmakers held preliminary debates on whether to ban the Republican candidate from the UK altogether. In the end, legislators from Britain’s main parties called Trump an attention-seeker and fool; most British parliamentarians argued that he should not be stifled or banned.
WATCH: British lawmakers debate on whether to ban Trump
“While I think this man is crazy, while I think this man has no valid points to make, I will not be the one to silence his voice,” said Conservative lawmaker Tom Tugendhat.
Trump himself appeared on Good Morning Britain earlier this month and admitted that he may have a poor relationship with British Prime Minister David Cameron in light of his criticism of Trump’s call for all Muslims to be temporarily banned from entering the U.S.
Cameron has refused to retract comments describing the proposed Muslim ban as “divisive, stupid and wrong.”
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During Tuesday’s Interview Hawking also urged British voters to choose to remain in the European Union in the June 23 referendum, noting that the decision is not only important for economic and security research, but also scientific research.
“Gone are the days we could stand on our own, against the world. We need to be part of a larger group of nations, both for our security, and our trade,” said Hawking.
– With files from The Associated Press