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Trump declines to condemn Ku Klux Klan
Donald Trump on Sunday morning refused to condemn actions taken and comments made by the Ku Klux Klan and one of its former leaders, claiming he needed to do "more research" before taking a position.
Speaking on CNN's State of the Union, Trump was asked by Jake Tapper to respond to recent comments made by white supremacist David Duke, the former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. Duke and other white supremacist groups have supported Trump's bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
"Just so you understand, I don't know anything about David Duke, OK?" he said. "I don't know anything about what you're even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists."
Trump, however, was asked about Duke during a press conference late last week, and said then that he disavowed him. He responded to the criticism following Sunday's show by sharing a clip of his answer on Twitter.
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Why should he publicly condemn them? Best to just ignore it, in my opinion. If they want to endorse him, he can't control that. I've never blamed the candidates who have gotten endorsements from Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Louis Farrakhan, Jeremiah Wright, New Black Panther Party, Black Lives Matter, etc. Who, or what group endorses them isn't necessarily within their control.
Last edited by The Man (2/28/2016 6:38 pm)
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"Just so you understand, I don't know anything about David Duke, OK?" he said. "I don't know anything about what you're even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists."
Seriously? This guy who aspires to be President of the USA doesn't know anything about David Duke or white supremacists? He must have been in a coma most of his life. I mean how could a guy who claims to be the guy we should vote for to lead this country not know anything about David Duke and white supremacist organizations?
Come to think of it, maybe that's why Duke encourages his followers to vote for him. What the hell, maybe he thinks Trump is so out-of-it and out-of-touch with what's going on in America that a win for Trump would be a win for him. Unbelievable.
Last edited by Just Fred (2/28/2016 7:15 pm)
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More research -- what a loon.
Perhaps he needs to do more research on the Holocaust also before he makes up his mind about that one too. .
He is a real tool !
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I work in a very diverse organization. Some of the African-Americans are saying that the rise of Trump demonstrates "how far we HAVEN'T come".
We could be in for a long, hot summer.
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The Man wrote:
Why should he publicly condemn them? Best to just ignore it, in my opinion. If they want to endorse him, he can't control that. I've never blamed the candidates who have gotten endorsements from Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Louis Farrakhan, Jeremiah Wright, New Black Panther Party, Black Lives Matter, etc. Who, or what group endorses them isn't necessarily within their control.
You are arguing a moral equivalence between Black lives matter, Jessie Jackson,,,,, and the kkk?
That's a bit much.
Trump screwed up, and left people wondering about his feelings towards white supremacists. Given his history of feeding intolerance, one has to wonder.
This was not difficult to deal with. Trump could have disposed with this easily.
First state exactly what you wrote above; "I have no control over who endorses me".
Second, state: "Of course I condemn white supremacists".
Boom. Done.
Instead you get a bunch of hemming and hawing about doing research, yada yada, that leaves everyone wondering if he's a racist.
Donald trump doesn't know anything about the klan?
A real stupid move. Unless you want the kkk vote.
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This is interesting:
Trump, 2016:
“Well, just so you understand, I don’t know anything about David Duke,” Mr. Trump said in an interview with CNN. “I don’t know anything about what you’re even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists.”
Trump 2000
"Mr. Trump also expressed his disapproval of Mr. Duke back in 2000 after deciding not to embark on a presidential bid in the Reform Party.
“The Reform Party now includes a Klansman, Mr. Duke, a neo-Nazi, Mr. Buchanan, and a communist, Ms. Fulani,” Mr. Trump said in a statement, referring to Pat Buchanan and Lenora Fulani, the former standard-bearer of the New Alliance Party and an advocate of Marxist-Leninist politics. “This is not company I wish to keep.”
So, Trump knew who David Duke was in 2000, and had no problem disavowing Duke then.
What has changed? Has Trump decide to go after the racist vote?
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This morning on the Today show, he blamed a faulty earpiece for the whole thing. He said he didn't hear the questions clearly which made it difficult to respond to questions he didn't fully understand due to the lousy earpiece. He said he was in his house in Florida when he did the interview long distance, and only heard 'condemn groups' nothing specific to the KKK.
Maybe his hair got in his ear and screwed up the earpiece reception. But this is just more of Trump being Trump -- he takes no responsibility for things he does that people criticize -- he just turns the criticism around and blames someone or something else. Trump ought to write a book entitled Trump Blames. He's racking up quite a long list of people, groups, and things he blames for his personal goof ups and the sorry state of the nation. Who's he going to blame when he's president?
Last edited by Rongone (2/29/2016 7:45 am)
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Rongone wrote:
This morning on the Today show, he blamed a faulty earpiece for the whole thing. He said he didn't hear the questions clearly which made it difficult to respond to questions he didn't fully understand due to the lousy earpiece. He was in his house in Florida doing the interview long distance.
Trump ought to write a book entitled Trump Blames. He's racking up quite a long list of people, groups, and things he blames for his personal goof ups and the sorry state of the nation. Who's he going to blame when he's president?
Well, we know ONE THING FOR SURE it will NEVER BE HIM !!!
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The Man wrote:
Why should he publicly condemn them? Best to just ignore it, in my opinion. If they want to endorse him, he can't control that. I've never blamed the candidates who have gotten endorsements from Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Louis Farrakhan, Jeremiah Wright, New Black Panther Party, Black Lives Matter, etc. Who, or what group endorses them isn't necessarily within their control.
Ronald Reagan was endorsed by the KKK back in his day and here is how he responded:
”Those of us in public life can only resent the use of our names by those who seek political recognition for the repugnant doctrines of hate they espouse.
”The politics of racial hatred and religious bigotry practiced by the Klan and others have no place in this country, and are destructive of the values for which America has always stood.”
It's a pretty simple and effective statement and something the Trump team should have had lined up as a canned response.