The chaotic first presidential debate between Democratic candidate Joe Biden and President Donald Trump was filled with memorable—if cringeworthy—moments.
But people were alarmed when Trump wouldn't outrightly condemn white supremacy, even when specifically asked by moderator Chris Wallace.
Biden urged Trump to condemn the Proud Boys—a self-described "Western chauvinist" militia known for crashing social justice protests with the intent of inciting violence.
Trump urged the Proud Boys to "Stand back and stand by."
Watch below.
WATCH: President Trump declines opportunity to condemn white supremacy. #Debates2020 pic.twitter.com/3hxNqMD0fv
— NBC News (@NBCNews) September 30, 2020
Given the Proud Boys' propensity toward violence against protesters, Americans across the country saw Trump instructing them to "stand by" for action against protesters and dissenters. Multiple members of the Proud Boys got this same message.
In case anyone wasn't clear on what Trump appeared to be instructing, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defined the terms in a tacit rebuke of Trump's assertion.
'Stand back': to take a few steps backwards
'Stand by': to be or to get ready to act #Debates2020
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) September 30, 2020
People highlighted the dictionary's definitions.
To be clear... https://t.co/QaT9NNBq5L
— MVP (@The305MVP) September 30, 2020
Yeah, language matters, doesn't it? https://t.co/uxaZvS8xNc
— Chely Wright (@chelywright) September 30, 2020
Trump is fomenting white supremacist violence. If the dictionary can see that, the MSM needs to see it too. https://t.co/FJ8ZwZGo74
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) September 30, 2020
You know it's bad when the dictionary starts dropping shade... https://t.co/037MuP2hoA
— Proud Conservative Scum (@40AcresBuilt) September 30, 2020
Don't let anyone convince you this was anything resembling "condemnation." https://t.co/YANBe8xYSH
— Zack Ford (@ZackFord) September 30, 2020
When the dictionary is handing out fades, you know it's real. https://t.co/JmdvwpPqsp
— Mr. Gupton (@GuptonTeaches) September 30, 2020
They were quick to troll Trump as well.
If you look up “racist" do you see Trump's picture? https://t.co/aKVcztH8Ir
— Barbara Malmet (@B52Malmet) September 30, 2020
Just put .@realDonaldTrump's photo next to the word BIGOT. https://t.co/IsIGXLRpp4
— Brian White (@actorbrianwhite) September 30, 2020
This tweet sums up @realDonaldTrump proud boy comment. He wants it to happen. America, what happened. https://t.co/eFcgTnCye6
— Mayor Peter McIsaac 🇨🇦 (@Peter_McIsaac) September 30, 2020
Trump has since claimed he didn't know who the Proud Boys were, despite appearing to during the debate. He claims that his calls to "stand by" were intended to mean "stand by the wayside" for law enforcement to do its job.
The next debate is scheduled for October 15.
@skylergisondo/Instagram
@Pretefunkera/X
@bonnieblue2025/X
@Andie00471/X
