is espousing – nor can he be unaware that such messages are being celebrated by neo-Nazis and alt-right organizations. Mr. Trump must act responsibly by ceasing to disseminate false, historically anti-Semitic associations. He must also unequivocally repudiate the support of anti-Semites who have embraced his candidacy.
But repudiating the support of the anti-Semites who have so loudly and proudly supported his candidacy has not been something that Mr. Trump has done very often or with ease. Mr. Trump waited for days before disavowing the support of former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke. This was his exchange with Jake Tapper on CNN's State of the Union program on February 28, 2016:
TAPPER: “I want to ask you about the Anti-Defamation League, which this week called on you to publicly condemn unequivocally the racism of former KKK grand wizard David Duke, who recently said that voting against you at this point would be treason to your heritage."
“Will you unequivocally condemn David Duke and say that you don’t want his vote or that of other white supremacists in this election?”
TRUMP: “Well, just so you understand, I don’t know anything about David Duke. OK? I don’t know anything about what you’re even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists. So, I don’t know. "
“I don’t know, did he endorse me or what’s going on, because, you know, I know nothing about David Duke. I know nothing about white supremacists. And so you’re asking me a question that I’m supposed to be talking about people that I know nothing about.”
TAPPER: “But I guess the question from the Anti-Defamation League is, even if you don’t know about their endorsement, there are these groups and individuals endorsing you. Would you just say unequivocally you condemn them and you don’t want their support?”
TRUMP: “Well, I have to look at the group. I mean, I don’t know what group you’re talking about. ou wouldn’t want me to condemn a group that I know nothing about. I would have to look.