The far-right group known as the Proud Boys have embraced President Trump’s call for them to “stand back and stand by” during the debate on Tuesday night.
One prominent Proud Boy organizer, Joe Biggs, celebrated Trump’s remark in a social media post to Parler. He said that the president gave the group a “shout out” and noted that the group would take his message to heart.
“President Trump told the proud boys to stand by because someone needs to deal with ANTIFA… well sir! we’re ready!!” Biggs wrote. “Trump basically said to go f— them up! This makes me so happy.”
The group began selling shirts with the words “stand by” as a logo, as well.
The Proud Boys are now sharing the group’s logo with the president’s words emblazoned like a slogan. pic.twitter.com/T3tp286YRa
— Mike Baker (@ByMikeBaker) September 30, 2020
During the debate on Tuesday night, Trump was asked if he would condemn white supremacists and militia groups. Trump said he was “prepared to do it” but maintained that the real threat of violence in the U.S. stemmed from left-wing groups, not right-wing extremists. He asked for a name of a group to condemn and Joe Biden named the Proud Boys.
“Proud Boys, stand back and stand by,” Trump said. “But I’ll tell you what, somebody’s got to do something about antifa and the Left, because this is not a right-wing problem. This is a left-wing problem.”
Asked by debate moderator Chris Wallace to condemn white supremacists and militia groups, Pres. Trump replies, “Sure, I’m willing to do that.”
“Then do it, sir,” Wallace says. https://t.co/mzqJRdRhtr #Debates2020 pic.twitter.com/Cvn1zuxXKr
— ABC News (@ABC) September 30, 2020
Many found Trump’s remarks to be a nod to the group and to white supremacists. The Proud Boys describe themselves as “western chauvinist” and are considered to be “misogynistic, Islamophobic, transphobic and anti-immigration,” according to the Anti-Defamation League.
This. This is Donald Trump’s America. https://t.co/wld2mmGTwe
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 30, 2020
Not only is Trump racist, he’s a threat to our national security. The Proud Boys are a domestic terror organization. https://t.co/i3hgkQ7jtn
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) September 30, 2020
The Proud Boys have been tied to many violent outbursts in the past including recent clashes with antifa counterprotesters in Portland. The group was also present at the Charlottesville “Unite the Right” white supremacist rally in 2017.
