Donald Trump worked Sunday to distance himself from the Ku Klux Klan, saying on CBS’ “Face the Nation” he doesn’t want the support or votes of a hateful person or group, just a week after he refused to denounce the group during a CNN appearance.
“I don’t want them and I don’t want them to say it. I can’t help if he says it,” Trump said, referring to former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke’s support. “I don’t like any group of hate. Hate groups are not for me.”
“How many times do I have to reject? I’ve rejected David Duke. I’ve rejected the KKK, the Ku Klux Klan, from the time I’m five years old,” Trump also said.
The rebuke was the strongest Trump has made since the issue arose in late February when Duke told radio listeners “voting against Donald Trump at this point is really treason to your [European-American] heritage.”
Trump said at a news conference that he disavowed Duke’s support, but failed on CNN to repudiate the Klan.
“I have to look at the group,” Trump said. “If you would send me a list of the groups I would do research on them and I would disavow.”
Trump’s failure to denounce the Klan came just before he racked up delegates in Republican primaries in southern states, picking up the majority of states up for grabs amidst the controversy.
Trump said although he has disavowed hate groups on Twitter, the media did not cover it to the extent they have covered his varying statements on that matter.
“I’ve said this before. The press hates me to say it. They just don’t want me to say it,” Trump said.
