Republicans distance themselves from Trump, again – VG

Since the very sharp and slightly chaotic first presidential debate, there is one moment in particular that has drawn attention both in the candidates’ home countries and outside the borders of the United States:

Donald Trump’s reluctance to distance himself from the right-wing extremist group Proud Boys.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says it is “unacceptable not to condemn” these groups, while another well-known party colleague, Senator Lindsey grahamHe tweeted that the president should “make it clear that the Proud Boys are a racist organization and have an ethic that does not conform to American ideals.” Several agree with the critics.

“He should definitely distance himself from white supporters,” said Republican Senator Bill Cassidy.

Republican Congressman Tom Cole of Oklahoma, who has an Indian background, is another who reacts, writes the New York Times.

– All I needed to say is “there is no place for racial discrimination in this country”, and be very clear on that, says Cole.

Taken as acceptance

In the debate, Trump was asked if he would condemn supporters of white power and far-right militia groups. Host Chris Wallace gave Trump more opportunities to distance himself from white nationalists, but Trump responded evasively each time.

– I’m willing to do anything. I want peace

– Then do it. Say it, Wallace challenged.

– What do you want to call them? Give me a name, Trump replied.

“White nationalists,” Wallace replied.

– Proud guys, Joe Biden chimed in.

– Proud Boys, stand back and get ready. But I say this: someone has to do something about Antifa, Trump responded.

Members of the far-right group celebrated on social media and took the response of the most powerful in the United States as a kind of acceptance of what they do.

Far-right militias, along with other like-minded people, have often come forward to confront the Black Lives Matter movement in demonstrations.

See the highlights and analysis of the first debate here:

Ignorance

After the debate and the subsequent strong reactions, Trump faced the statement on Wednesday night Norwegian time.

Then he claimed, contrary to what he did in the debate, that he did not know the group.

“I don’t know who the Proud Boys are, but whoever they are now, all three must go back,” he told reporters at the White House.

– Take a step back and let the police forces do their job, Trump said then, according to NTB.

Oklahoma Republican Congressman Tom Cole, who also has an indigenous background, is another of Trump’s party colleagues who is reacting:

“All I had to say was ‘there is no place for racial profiling in this country,’ and be very clear about it,” Cole told the New York Times.

Second time

Even Trump’s ever supportive friends on morning TV, the hosts of the president’s favorite show “Fox & Friends,” think Trump was wrong this time.

Host Brian Kilmeade said Trump “destroyed the greatest opportunity in the history of the debate“When he failed to condemn the far-right group, despite debate leader Chris Wallace repeatedly giving the president chances.

It has not been more than a week since several famous Republicans distanced themselves from their own president’s remarks. Then it was Trump’s declaration that he would not commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he lost the election, prompting the resignation of several of his own party colleagues.