Condemn or Condone?

President Trump draws fire, but what did he really say?

Much of has been made of President Donald Trump’s supposed refusal to condemn white supremacists, in particular the group Proud Boys during the debate with opponent former Vice President Joe Biden. But is that true?

Looking at the transcript of the debate, President Trump very clearly says he condemns such groups.

Here’s how the controversial exchange started: Moderator Chris Wallace addressing the president: “You have repeatedly criticized the vice president for not calling out Antifa and other left-wing extremist groups.”

Trump: “That’s right”

Wallace: “But are you willing, tonight, to condemn white supremacist and militia groups?” — Trump: “Sure.”

Wallace: “And to say that they need to stand down and not add to the violence in a number of these cities, as we saw in Kenosha, and as we’ve seen in Portland?”

Trump: “Sure, I’m willing to do that but …”

The president goes on to say that most of the violence he’s seen is from left-wing groups, not the right wing. But he did condemn white supremacist groups. It gets more complicated, though, when the president was asked specifically about the Proud Boys.

Trump: “Who do you want me to condemn? Who?”

Biden: “The Proud Boys”

Wallace: White supremacists and right-wing militias

Trump: “The Proud Boys? Stand back and stand by, but I’ll tell you what, I’ll tell you what, somebody’s got to do something about Antifa and the left …”

So what did President Trump mean by “stand back and stand by”? Some think it was a message for the Proud Boys to stand at alert — and to be fair that seems to be the way the group has taken it if their social media posts are any indication. But it could have been the president mixing up his words — meaning stand down instead of stand back — or even saying wait for my answer.

In any case, the day after the debate the president said he had never heard of the Proud Boys and said, “Whoever they are, they have to stand down, let law enforcement do their work.” And when asked, he specifically said he was against white supremacy.

“I’ve always denounced any form, any form, any form of any of that,” he said.

President Trump is not the most articulate chief executive we’ve ever had. And sometimes he speaks without thinking. But that doesn’t mean he backs bigoted, racist groups. He is accountable for what he says. But he should be given the chance to explain, like any other citizen. And his explanation should be noted by those quick to condemn.