David Duke heaped praise on Donald Trump’s acceptance speech.
“Great Trump Speech, America First! Stop Wars! Defeat the Corrupt elites! Protect our Borders!, Fair Trade! Couldn’t have said it better!” white nationalist and former leader of the Ku Klux Klan tweeted moments after Trump concluded his speech accepting the GOP presidential nomination.
Great Trump Speech, America First! Stop Wars! Defeat the Corrupt elites! Protect our Borders!, Fair Trade! Couldn’t have said it better!
— David Duke (@DrDavidDuke) July 22, 2016
Duke has voiced his admiration for Trump before.
In May, Duke praised Trump for exposing and defeating “Jewish supremacists.” There was also speculation that Duke was set to launch a run for office to challenge House Majority Whip Steve Scalise for Louisiana’s 1st Congressional District.
Trump had taken heat for not immediately disavowing Duke.
In late February, Trump was asked by CNN’s Jake Tapper if he would disavow Duke and other white supremacist groups supporting him. He responded: “I don’t know anything about David Duke. I don’t know anything about what you’re even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists.”
He later blamed his failure to disavow Duke on “a very bad earpiece.” He then went on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” days later to offer his clear disavowal of the former KKK Grand Wizard.
“David Duke is a bad person, who I disavowed on numerous occasions over the years,” Trump said. “I disavowed him. I disavowed the KKK … I disavowed him in the past, I disavow him now.”
