Donald Trump and the white supremacist vote has been a matter of some question since former KKK Grand Wizard David Duke spoke in support of him in the presidential race. Trump was questioned about the endorsement and was hesitant to respond when asked to condemn the Ku Klux Klan and other hate groups that might speak in his favor. In the week since, he has spoken about the issue a few times, but on Sunday, he finally spoke in a very definitive manner, declaring that he does not want votes from white supremacist groups and does not want leaders of such groups to promote him to their followers.
According to Politico , Duke made the initial statement on his radio program on Wednesday, February 24. He made a point of clarifying that it was not an official endorsement of Trump, but told listeners to volunteer for Trump’s campaign and suggested that white supremacists would find like-minded compatriots among other Trump supporters.
“They’re screaming for volunteers. Go in there, you’re gonna meet people who are going to have the same kind of mind-set that you have.”
He also warned followers that voting against Trump would be treason against their heritage.
When asked on CNN a few days laterto condemn such endorsements, Trump would not give a direct response, saying instead that he knew nothing about David Duke, or about being recommended to followers of any white supremacist groups.
“You wouldn’t want me to condemn a group that I know nothing about.”
Later, at a press conference and on social media, Trump did disavow the endorsement, but to many, it was too little, too late.
As I stated at the press conference on Friday regarding David Duke- I disavow. pic.twitter.com/OIXFKPUlz2
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2016
Numerous politicians, analysts, and journalists expressed thoughts about Trump’s failure to immediately and unequivocally denounce the KKK and David Duke. An opinion piece in the Washington Post, for instance, suggested no one should besurprised at the Donald’s refusal to condemn Duke, and made references to Trump’s father, who was arrested during a KKK riot, before suggesting that Trump’s (and the GOP’s, in general) platform is designed around policies that oppress minorities. Trump’s opponent for the Republican nomination, Marco Rubio, declared that the series of events made Trump “unelectable.”
There were still further questions for Trump on the matter, too. Finally, on CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday, Donald Trump answered the question — and its follow-up — with much firmer terms.
Declaring that he had rejected the KKK since he was 5-years-old, Trump demanded to know how many times he was expected to “reject or disavow.”
When asked, “Do you want those votes?” Trump declared the following.
“I don’t want them, and I don’t want him to say it, but I can’t help if he says it….If he says it, he says it. Do I want it? No.”
He later expressed appreciation for the interview, calling it “fair and professional” — an unusual degree of praise from Trump, who often speaks insultingly or angrily about journalists after interviews.
Thank you to @jdickerson and @FaceTheNation for a very fair and professional interview this morning. No wonder you are #1 in the ratings!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 6, 2016
Meanwhile, David Duke has spoken in Trump’s favor several more times on his Facebook page, claiming that “ Mexican supremacists ” and “Jewish privilege” are declaring war on Trump and his supporters. He shows, currently, no sign of withdrawing support.
With Donald Trump’s announcement that he doesn’t want votes from white supremacist groups, it remains to be seen whether any support will be withdrawn in days to come.
[Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images]
