Donald Trump has lashed out at black civil rights leader Al Sharpton, accusing him of being a “troublemaker” and “hating” white people.
Mr Trump’s unprovoked attack comes just days after he directed a series of insults towards a Baltimore congressman of colour.
The US President started his feud with Reverend Sharpton by retweeting a tweet from the activist saying he had arrived in Atlanta, on his way to Baltimore.
Mr Trump tweeted: “I have known Al for 25 years. Went to fights with him and Don King, always got along well.
“He ‘loved Trump!’ He would ask me favours often.
“Al is a con-man, a troublemaker, always looking for a score. Just doing his thing. Must have intimidated Comcast/NBC. Hates whites and cops!”
Mr Trump failed to provide any evidence for either claim.
His tweets launched a spat between the pair, as Reverend Sharpton shared a picture of him and Mr Trump in 2006, where he claimed the president was praising him.
He wrote: “Trump at NAN Convention 2006 telling James Brown and Jesse Jackson why he respects my work. Different tune now.”
He added: "Trump says I'm a troublemaker and a conman. I do make trouble for bigots. If he really thought I was a conman he would want me in his cabinet."
Mr Trump replied: “Al Sharpton would always ask me to go to his events. He would say, ‘it’s a personal favour to me.’
"Seldom, but sometimes, I would go. It was fine. He came to my office in T.T. during the presidential campaign to apologise for the way he was talking about me. Just a conman at work!”
The latest series of tweets come as Mr Trump faces a fresh racism storm after describing a politician’s district in Baltimore as a “disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess.”
Mr Trump took aim at the predominantly black district of politician and critic of the president Elijah Cummings, the powerful House Oversight Committee chairman.
He claimed his Baltimore-area district is "considered the worst run and most dangerous anywhere in the United States".
