Asked To Condemn White Supremacists, Trump Instead Urges Them To: ‘Stand Back And Stand By’

When asked to condemn far-right militias and white supremacist groups like Proud Boys at Tuesday night’s presidential debate, President Trump instead ordered them to, “stand back and standby.”

“Are you willing, tonight, to condemn white supremacists and militia groups and to say that they need to stand down…” Wallace asked.

“Sure, I’m willing to do it,” Trump interjected.

“Proud Boys stand back, stand by. But somebody’s got to do something about Antifa,” Trump added. “Antifa is bad. It’s a dangerous radical group and they’ll overthrow you [Mr Biden].”

.@LeaderMcConnell, @realdonaldtrump just told the Proud Boys, “Stand down and stand by.”

Do you agree that militias should be ready to take to the streets?

What say you @joshholmes? pic.twitter.com/yyRKy1qSYQ

— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) September 30, 2020

Trump’s “stand by” instructions raised alarms on Twitter.

Telling Proud Boys to “stand by” is telling them to…await further instruction.

— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) September 30, 2020

"Proud Boys, stand back and stand by" is not disavowing white supremacists.

— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) September 30, 2020

Trump didn’t condemn white suprematists when given the chance, simply saying the Proud Boys should “stand back and stand by.”

— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) September 30, 2020

A moment to behold.

The president when asked to denounce white supremacists said, "Proud Boys, stand back and stand by." https://t.co/8zO22YwWzS

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) September 30, 2020

Trump tonight has really completely denied climate change, denied the effectiveness of mask for COVID, skirted around denouncing white supremacists group and told Proud Boys to “stand by.”

Over 60 million people will still vote for him. This sucks. #Debate2020

— Phillip Henry (@MajorPhilebrity) September 30, 2020