Donald Trump has been criticised for mocking a New York Times reporter who suffers from a chronic condition that limits movement in his joints.

Journalist Serge Kovaleski wrote an article in the aftermath of the attacks in 2001 while working at the Washington Post, in which he made reference to the large Arab population in Jersey city.

Republican presidential front-runner Trump has recently been citing Kovaleski's article to support his claims that he saw “thousands” in New Jersey cheer on the collapse of the twin towers on 9/11 “where you have large Arab populations”.

Speaking at a rally in South Carolina, Trump criticised Kovaleski who he claims said he now "can't remember [the article]", and then appeared to mock the reporter's body movements, telling the crowd “you should see this guy”.

The New York Times has since responded to the footage, stating: “We think it’s outrageous that he would ridicule the appearance of one of our reporters,” according to US website Politico.