When pressed again by Wallace to condemn white supremacists, Trump responded, “What do you want to call them? Give me a name. Give me a name? Proud Boys, stand back, standby.” The Proud Boys are a mens-only neo-fascist organization with ties to numerous violent acts in Portland. Trump’s comments emboldened members of the white supremacist group, who took to social media in the hours after the debate (via The Wrap) to thank Trump for not condemning them.
“For those who hadn’t been listening for the past four years, Trump just told you that he ain’t leaving and that he is a white supremacist,” Ava DuVernay wrote on Twitter in reaction to Trump. “If that doesn’t get every American who is not white into overdrive to toss his ass – we may actually deserve what happens next.” DuVernay’s condemnation of Trump was shared by dozens of Holllywood figures, from comedians Billy Eichner and Kumail Nanjiani to Mark Ruffalo, Robin Thede, Patton Oswalt, and more. Eicher wrote, “The fact that Trump said Proud Boys should ‘stand by’ is one of the most disgusting, dangerous things that could have possibly been said. What a vile, racist bitch. Vote this motherfucker out.” “I want to live in a country where my President is not afraid to call white supremacists and Nazis racists thugs and terrorists and then do everything he can to stop them,” added Ruffalo. “Here’s the big takeaway from the debate,” Nanjiani added. “Trump was asked to condemn white supremacists, and not only did he refuse to do so, he told them to stand back and stand by. You know, as if he is their leader. That’s the takeaway.” Click here to read IndieWire’s full analysis of the first debate. A handful of reactions to Trump are embedded below.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) September 30, 2020
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) September 30, 2020
Trump was asked to condemn white supremacists, and not only did he refuse to do so, he told them to “stand back and stand by.” You know, as if he is their leader. That’s the takeaway. — Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) September 30, 2020
— Cheo Hodari Coker (@cheo_coker) September 30, 2020
— Robin Thede (@robinthede) September 30, 2020
— Lena Waithe (@LenaWaithe) September 30, 2020
— olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) September 30, 2020
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) September 30, 2020
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) September 30, 2020
— Ed Helms (@edhelms) September 30, 2020 Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.
