FILE - In this file photo dated Wednesday Aug. 29, 2012, British physicist, Professor Stephen Hawking speaks during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics in London, Wednesday Aug. 29, 2012. Hawking... (Associated Press) 
 
 FILE - In this file photo dated Wednesday Aug. 29, 2012, British physicist, Professor Stephen Hawking speaks during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics in London, Wednesday Aug. 29, 2012. Hawking... (Associated Press) 
 
 LONDON (AP) — Renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking may have a good grasp of the workings of the universe, but he says he can't understand Donald Trump's popularity. 
 
 Hawking tells ITV's "Good Morning Britain" show Tuesday that he has no explanation for the success of the presumptive Republican Party presidential nominee. 
 
 "He is a demagogue who seems to appeal to the lowest common denominator," Hawking says in prerecorded comments to be broadcast when the show airs at 6 a.m. London time (0500 GMT, 1 a.m. EDT) Tuesday. 
 
 Hawking , who speaks through a computer system operated with his cheek, also made a plea for British voters to choose to remain in the European Union in the June 23 referendum. 
 
 He said it is important not only for economic and security research but also to further scientific research. 
 
 Hawking says: "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." 
 
 Hawking has a form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as Lou Gehrig's disease, that has gradually paralyzed him since he was first diagnosed at age 21. ||||| Gone are the days we could stand on our own 
 
 He has grappled with some of the biggest questions in the universe and now Professor Stephen Hawking gives his answer to another: In or out? 
 
 In his only interview on the subject, Hawking tells GMB he predicts a recession if Britain leave the EU and warns: "Gone are the days when we could stand on our own". 
 
 He also gives his views on US presidential hopeful Donald Trump and reveals his dream dinner party guests - plus he tells Mark Austin of how he never thought he'd be able to have children after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. 
 
 The professor also reveals that he thinks the planet's biggest threat is global warming.
– Stephen Hawking may have a good grasp of the workings of the universe, but he says he can't understand the popularity of Donald Trump. The renowned theoretical physicist tells ITV's Good Morning Britain show that he has no explanation for the success of the presumptive GOP presidential nominee. "He is a demagogue who seems to appeal to the lowest common denominator," Hawking says. Hawking also made a plea for British voters to choose to remain in the European Union in the June 23 referendum on the matter, saying it's important not only for economic and security research but also to further scientific research, the AP reports. Hawking says, "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." (Hawking also has opinions on black holes, artificial intelligence, and Zayn leaving One Direction.)