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"And by the way, I don't like this mic," Trump said after criticizing US trade policy with China during his speech in Pensacola, Florida.
The Republican presidential front-runner then crudely instructed his staff to not pay the person responsible.
"Whoever the hell broke this mic system, don't pay the son of the b----," he said.
Trump added: "This mic is terrible. Stupid mic keeps popping. Do you hear that George? Don't pay him! Don't pay him. You know, I believe in paying, but when somebody does a bad job like this stupid mic, you shouldn't pay the bastard. Terrible. Terrible. It's true."
Trump said he hoped the sound system was functioning for the packed crowd, but he kept hearing a "boom" sound.
"So we're not going to pay," he continued. "I guarantee you I'm not paying for this mic. Every two minutes I hear like, 'Boom! Boom!'"
Reporters covering the rally said they had difficulty understanding the candidate as well.
Partial transcript of Trump, via this sound system: Mumble, mumble... polls, mumble, Rubio, I like him... The Boston Globe is great...
- Jenna Johnson (@wpjenna) January 14, 2016
Difficult to hear Trump tonight because the mic is pretty fuzzy...lots of echo in the room.
- Ali Vitali (@alivitali) January 14, 2016