What Donald Trump said – and did not say – about the Ku Klux Klan and former Klansman David Duke has emerged as a major controversy in the 2016 presidential campaign.
“Trump has hesitated to reject an endorsement from former KKK leader David Duke,” said pro-Democratic group American Bridge.
“A man who wavers on whether or not to disavow the KKK is one step closer to becoming the Republican Party’s standard-bearer,” said Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
“If a person wants to be the nominee of the Republican Party, there can be no evasions and no games,” said House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.
But Trump has disavowed Duke more than once.
Here’s precisely what Trump has said.
NEWS CONFERENCE with Chris Christie, Friday, Feb. 26
Asked, “How do you feel about the recent endorsement from David Duke?”
TRUMP: “I didn’t even know he endorsed me. David Duke endorsed me? OK. All right. I disavow. OK?”
CNN’s STATE OF THE UNION program, Sunday, Feb. 28
Jake TAPPER: “I want to ask you about the Anti-Defamation League, which this week called on you to publicly condemn unequivocally the racism of former KKK grand wizard David Duke, who recently said that voting against you at this point would be treason to your heritage.
“Will you unequivocally condemn David Duke and say that you don’t want his vote or that of other white supremacists in this election?”
TRUMP: “Well, just so you understand, I don’t know anything about David Duke. OK? I don’t know anything about what you’re even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists. So, I don’t know.
“I don’t know, did he endorse me or what’s going on, because, you know, I know nothing about David Duke. I know nothing about white supremacists. And so you’re asking me a question that I’m supposed to be talking about people that I know nothing about.”
TAPPER: “But I guess the question from the Anti-Defamation League is, even if you don’t know about their endorsement, there are these groups and individuals endorsing you. Would you just say unequivocally you condemn them and you don’t want their support?”
TRUMP: “Well, I have to look at the group. I mean, I don’t know what group you’re talking about.
“You wouldn’t want me to condemn a group that I know nothing about. I would have to look. If you would send me a list of the groups, I will do research on them. And, certainly, I would disavow if I thought there was something wrong.”
TAPPER: “The Ku Klux Klan?”
TRUMP: “But you may have groups in there that are totally fine, and it would be very unfair. So, give me a list of the groups, and I will let you know.”
TAPPER: “OK. I mean, I’m just talking about David Duke and the Ku Klux Klan here, but. . . .”
TRUMP: “I don’t know any – honestly, I don’t know David Duke. I don’t believe I have ever met him. I’m pretty sure I didn’t meet him. And I just don’t know anything about him.”