Accusations from within: Republicans criticize Trump for not distancing himself from racists

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Tim Scott criticizes Trump: "If he doesn't correct it, he probably didn't make a mistake"

Photo: POOL / REUTERS

Donald Trump did not want to distance himself from racists.

When the US president was asked in the TV duel against Joe Biden whether he wanted to distance himself from racists who believe in "white supremacy", he let this chance slip by.

On the contrary, Trump urged the right-wing, violent group "Proud Boys" to "stand by".

Aside from the chaotic TV debate full of personal insults, this sequence was particularly remembered - and is now causing criticism from within our own ranks.

Tim Scott, the only black Republican in the Senate, said belief in "white supremacy" should "be denounced at all times."

Scott suspected that Trump had "put it wrong" and should correct it: "If he doesn't correct it, he probably didn't make a mistake."

Scott got support from Mitch McConnell, the Republican majority leader in the Senate.

McConnell, actually a supporter of Trump, followed Scott's words, according to the New York Times.

"He said it was unacceptable not to condemn white racists, and I say that in the sharpest possible way," said McConnell.

In addition to McConnell, other senators joined the criticism of Trump.

The US President should "clear up the matter," said Senator John Thune.

And Senator Bill Cassidy demanded that Trump should "unequivocally condemn belief in white supremacy."

Senator Susan Collins also said Trump should "absolutely" condemn this.

Trump's dubious reaction

The US president responded to the criticism on Wednesday.

He does not know the racist, violent group "Proud Boys", whom he had mentioned by name the previous evening.

"I don't know who the Proud Boys are," said Trump.

A reporter spoke to him again about right-wing extremists who are convinced of the predominance of whites.

Trump replied: "I have always condemned every form (...), every form of something like that."

He didn't mention the word "White Supremacists".

On the fringes of anti-racism protests in the USA there have been repeated violent clashes between demonstrators and the police in recent months - and violent clashes between right-wing groups such as the "Proud Boys" and left-wing activists, including anti-fascist ones Antifa movement.

In the past few years, Trump had repeatedly refused to distance himself clearly from racist groups.

This is one of the reasons why challenger Joe Biden called the president a "racist" in the TV duel.

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ptz / AP