An Arizona Republican Senate candidate endorsed by Donald Trump is facing backlash again after another of his hot takes came to light.
Conservative GOP candidate Blake Masters—who has pushed the White nationalist Great Replacement conspiracy theory—shared his thoughts on why there’s a gun violence problem in the United States.
In an April 11 interview on the Jeff Oravits Show podcast, Masters said:
"We do have a gun violence problem in this country, and it’s gang violence.”
“It’s people in Chicago, St. Louis shooting each other."
"Very often, you know, Black people, frankly."
"And the Democrats don’t want to do anything about that.”
You can hear his remarks here:
\u201cBlake Masters, the Trump-endorsed Arizona Republican Senate candidate, blamed gun violence on \u201cBlack people, frankly,\u201d and told podcast host Jeff Oravits, who is also white, \u201cwhat they mean by gun control is disarming you and me.\u201d\u201d— PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1654521489
After blaming Black people, Masters went on to tell the White podcast host:
"[Gun control efforts target] law-abiding people like you and me.”
“When they ban ‘ghost guns’ and pistol braces, that’s all about disarming law-abiding people, like you and me, that’s what it’s about."
“They care that we can’t have guns to defend ourselves."
People are calling Masters out for spouting White nationalist talking points.
\u201c@NoLieWithBTC @thedailybeast\u201d— No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen) 1654521300
\u201cRarely are Republicans so explicit about their bullshit counterarguments. But please read this whole report, because there\u2019s more to this guy. What Masters says is false and deranged, frankly\u201d— Roger Sollenberger found true love, suckers (@Roger Sollenberger found true love, suckers) 1654479070
\u201cHe also says \u201cfrankly\u201d a lot, which really just twists the blade\u201d— Roger Sollenberger found true love, suckers (@Roger Sollenberger found true love, suckers) 1654479070
\u201c@SollenbergerRC Well yeah bc all the recent mass shooters have been Black. \n\nOh, wait\u2026\u201d— Roger Sollenberger found true love, suckers (@Roger Sollenberger found true love, suckers) 1654479070
\u201c@SollenbergerRC\u201d— Roger Sollenberger found true love, suckers (@Roger Sollenberger found true love, suckers) 1654479070
\u201c@patriottakes Sounds about \u201cwhite\u201d\u201d— PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1654521489
\u201c@Djlee_md @NoLieWithBTC @thedailybeast Oh it doesn't!\u201d— No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen) 1654521300
\u201cBREAKING: Blake Masters, MAGA candidate for Senate in Arizona, absurdly claims that America\u2019s gun violence problem can be blamed on \u201cBlack people, frankly\u201d because of \u201cgang violence,\u201d instead of guns. RT IF YOU THINK THAT HE\u2019S A RACIST!\u201d— Occupy Democrats (@Occupy Democrats) 1654532304
Masters faced widespread criticism previously for claiming the gender pay gap is a myth because men do all the harder, more dangerous work.
Masters first hurdle will be the Arizona Republican primary on August 2. He hopes to challenge Democratic incumbent Senator Mark Kelly in November.
Masters backs a nationwide abortion ban, claims Democrats want to "import a million people every year to replace Americans who were born here" and said the media and big tech "conspired to manipulate the 2020 election" which he claims "Trump won."
White nationalist website VDARE saluted Masters as an “immigration patriot."
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