Donald Trump faces backlash off KKK, David Duke, tweeting Mussolini quote

The current GOP frontrunner for president, Donald Trump, is facing some outrage and criticism after a series of bizarre events, including a refusal to reject the endorsement from David Duke, a known leader of the KKK. Trump blamed a “bad earpiece” that led to statements that seemed to suggest that the presidential candidate would not disavow the former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard.

“I was sitting in a house in Florida, with a bad earpiece,” he said. “I could hardly hear what he’s saying. I hear various groups. I don’t mind disavowing anyone. I disavowed Duke the day before at a major conference.”

photo/ donkeyhotey

The moment came Sunday during a CNN segment whether he would disavow Duke and other white supremacist groups that are supporting his campaign.

“Just so you understand, I don’t know anything about David Duke, OK?” Trump said. “I don’t know anything about what you’re even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists,” he said. “So I don’t know. I don’t know — did he endorse me, or what’s going on? Because I know nothing about David Duke; I know nothing about white supremacists.”

Trump was asked three times about distancing himself from the group, but failed to ever address the question.

“Let him do whatever he thinks he needs to do to become president of the United States,” Duke responded to the Daily Beast, later adding that ““I think he knows who I am, but he doesn’t know what I actually stand for today.”

Friday during a press conference, Trump said: “David Duke endorsed me? OK, all right. I disavow, OK?” More below.

Trump also tweeted a quote by fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, which read “It is better to live one day as a lion than 100 years as a sheep,” which have led some to accuse him of being a fascist like Mussolini.

Duke on Trump: “Voting for these people, voting against Donald Trump at this point, is really treason to your heritage,” Duke said on the David Duke Radio Program. BuzzFeed News first reported the remarks. I’m not saying I endorse everything about Trump. In fact, I haven’t formally endorsed him. But I do support his candidacy, and I support voting for him as a strategic action. I hope he does everything we hope he will do.”The former Louisiana representative told listeners to start volunteering for Trump.

“And I am telling you that it is your job now to get active. Get off your duff. Get off your rear end that’s getting fatter and fatter for many of you everyday on your chairs. When this show’s over, go out, call the Republican Party, but call Donald Trump’s headquarters, volunteer,” he said. “They’re screaming for volunteers. Go in there, you’re gonna meet people who are going to have the same kind of mind-set that you have.”

On the DISPATCH: Headlines Local Opinion

About the Author

Brandon Jones - Writer and Co-Founder of The Global Dispatch, Brandon has been covering news, offering commentary for years, beginning professionally in 2003 on Crazed Fanboy before expanding into other blogs and sites. Appearing on several radio shows, Brandon has hosted Dispatch Radio, written his first novel (The Rise of the Templar) and completed the three years Global University program in Ministerial Studies to be a pastor. To Contact Brandon email [email protected] ATTN: BRANDON