Sen. Tim Scott: Trump Should Correct Statements On White Supremacists

Senator Tim Scott said Wednesday he believes President Trump “needs to correct” his statements and condemn White supremacists and militia groups.

Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, said if the president doesn’t correct himself, it’ll speak volumes about what side he’s on.

“White supremacy should be denounced at every turn. I think the president misspoke, and he needs to correct it,” Scott told CNBC. “If he doesn’t correct it, I guess he didn’t misspeak.”

Scott, a Black supporter of Trump, made the comment before attending a meeting with Trump’s nominee for the Supeme Court Amy Coney Barrett. The White House has not responded to Scott, but when White House communications director Alyssa Farah was asked about Trump’s comment to the Proud Boys and his refusal to condemn White supremacist groups, she redponded  “I don’t think that there’s anything to clarify.”

During the debate, moderator Chris Wallace, who had more than a few clashes with the president during the debate, asked the president if he was willing to condemn White supremacist groups and militia groups who have addeed to the civil unrest across the country.

Trump initially said “I’m willing to do that,” but never did it. Instead he pivoted back to the left blaming them for the violence.

“I would say almost everything I see is from the left wing, not from the right wing,” Trump said.

Pressed by Wallace, Trump then said, “I’m willing to do anything — I want to see peace.”

Wallace cut in: “Well, then do it, sir.”

“Say it. Do it. Say it,” Biden added.

“You want to call ‘em — what do you want to call ’em? Give me a name, give me a name, who would you like me to condemn?” Trump asked.

Wallace said, “White supremacists and right-wing militias.”

Biden then specifically mentioned the Proud Boys, a far-right neo-fascist ^{male-only organization.}

“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 because this is not a right-wing problem, this is a left-wing problem,” Trump responded.

The group pledged their alligance to the presdient after the debate and used Trump’s comment in their logo.

The Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, released a statement saying Trump’s comments are a danger to Black Americans.

“During a time when Black people nationwide are exercising their rights to protest police violence and contending with rising levels of racial violence, President Donald Trump used his debate platform to embolden white supremacists by refusing to disavow their activity and by issuing a directive to Proud Boys to ‘stand by,’” the group said in an emailed statement. “Even the FBI has identified white supremacy as one of the greatest domestic threats that we face today. The president’s silence and acquiescence present a clear and present danger to Black people, who are most frequently targeted by incidents of hate.

Black Enterprise has reached out to the Trump Campaign, but has not received a response at this time.