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Trump Refuses to Condemn Endorsements from Former KKK Leader

HeadlineFeb 29, 2016

Meanwhile, in an appearance on CNN, Trump refused to condemn endorsements from David Duke, a prominent white supremacist and former KKK leader. In an interview with Jake Tapper, Trump said he didn’t know David Duke.

Donald Trump: “I’d 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.”

Jake Tapper: “The Ku Klux Klan?”

Donald 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’ll let you know.”

Jake Tapper: “OK, I mean, I’m just talking about David Duke and the Ku Klux Klan here, but…”

Donald Trump: “I don’t know any—honestly, I don’t know David Duke. I don’t believe I’ve ever met him.”

Despite what he said, Trump has actually disavowed David Duke in the past: In 2000, Trump opted not to launch a presidential bid for the Reform Party, saying in part that the party “now includes a Klansman, Mr. Duke. … This is not company I wish to keep.” Later Sunday, Trump posted a video on Twitter of himself disavowing David Duke.

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