The chaotic first debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee former Vice President Joe Biden was filled with memorable—if cringeworthy—moments, largely brought about by the President's inability to stop interrupting both his opponent and moderator Chris Wallace.
But perhaps the most notable moment was when the President was asked if he'd condemn White supremacist groups.
Watch below.
In which Donald Trump refuses to denounce white supremacists. A disgrace. #Debate2020 pic.twitter.com/bKo7QKDCo8
— Complex (@Complex) September 30, 2020
Though Trump said he would denounce White supremacy, when Wallace asked him to do it, he demurred. Biden then called on him to denounce the self-described "western chauvinist" group Proud Boys, who are known to show up to racial justice protests with the intent of starting violence.
Trump responded:
"Proud Boys? Stand back and stand by, but I'll tell you what, I'll tell you what, somebody's gotta do something about antifa and the left."
Though the President claimed he did denounce the Proud Boys then later claimed not to know who they were, the group celebrated what they believed to be an endorsement. They began emblazoning "Stand back and stand by"—what they took as a call to stand by against protesters—on the group's logos.
Even conservative network Fox News, which airs some of the most widely-watched defenses of Trump, was amazed that he bungled such a softball question.
Watch below.
Brian Kilmeade: "Donald Trump ruined the biggest layup in the history of debates by not condemning white supremists. I don't know if he didn't hear it, but he's gotta clarify that right away. ... Why the president didn't just knock it out of the park, I'm not sure." pic.twitter.com/Qo52jBDTPl
— Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) September 30, 2020
After chastising Biden for calling Trump a clown, Fox and Friends host Brian Kilmeade said:
"Donald Trump ruined the biggest layup in the history of debates by not condemning White supremacists. I don't know if he didn't hear it, but he's gotta clarify that right away. That's like, 'Are you against evil?' Why the President didn't just knock it out of the park, I'm not sure."
People mocked Kilmeade for his confusion at the President's soft spot for White supremacy.
Even the idiots over at Fox can't understand why the racist President didn't just condemn white supremacists. https://t.co/71HacpuHzx
— Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) September 30, 2020
“I'm not sure" lmao https://t.co/HtxBPDB1dj
— Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) September 30, 2020
Yo @netflix we got a hot one for the next season of Unsolved Mysteries https://t.co/ygCuzJvk6E
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) September 30, 2020
It's probably because Trump is a white supremacist. https://t.co/pWqHyIAt7u
— Sierra Club (@SierraClub) September 30, 2020
Truly a mystery for the ages, Brian https://t.co/j15jrao80W
— Matt Ford (@fordm) September 30, 2020
This is the slowest, dumbest version of dropping your mug as you realize a horrifying truth https://t.co/pVtpPPRSlZ
— Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) September 30, 2020
Even days after the debate, Trump's words are still generating discourse.
It's worth noting that a reporter today said to Trump, "White supremacists, they clearly love you and support you" and Trump nodded and waited for the rest of the question. https://t.co/hxp1FBuusY
— Philip Bump (@pbump) October 1, 2020
Elizabeth Warren on Trump failing to condemn white supremacists: "No person who wants to be president of the United States, and certainly no sitting president of the United States, is still in the running when they do something like that." @TheLastWord
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 1, 2020
Trump still hasn't denounced white supremacists. We see you. We will overwhelm you and your silent enablers with our votes!
— Amy Siskind (@Amy_Siskind) October 1, 2020
The next debate is set for October 15.
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