Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump has weighed in against North Carolina's controversial discrimination law.
Trump was asked to give his opinion on the law known as House Bill 2 on Thursday's NBC Today Show.
"North Carolina did something that was very strong, and they're paying a big price, and there's a lot of problems," Trump replied.
"And one of the best answers I heard was from a commentator yesterday saying, 'leave it the way it is.'"
Trump said the main problem with the law is the economic punishment and the strife it's caused. He said people should be able to use whichever bathroom they think is appropriate.
"There have been very few complaints the way it is," Trump said. "People go, they use the bathroom that they feel is appropriate. There has been so little trouble."
If @Caitlyn_Jenner walked into Trump Tower, what bathroom would @RealDonaldTrump suggest she use? #TrumpTODAY https://t.co/E6jLyif6ls — TODAY (@TODAYshow) April 21, 2016
Also Thursday, three more plaintiffs joined a federal suit challenging the law. One new plaintiff is UNC School of the Arts high school junior Hunter Schafer. Schafer identifies as a transgender woman, and says she shouldn't be forced to use the men's room.
"Not only is it contrary to my identity, but people are going to perceive me as something that doesn't belong in there, which is going to lead me into uncomfortable situations," Schafer said.
House Bill 2 says people in schools and government buildings must use the restroom that corresponds to the sex on their birth certificate. It also prevents cities and towns from passing their own anti-discrimination ordinances.
The plaintiffs include Schafer and other residents who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, as well as the ACLU and other advocacy groups. They argue the new law is unconstitutional and violates Title IX, the federal policy protecting people from sex and gender discrimination.
