Proud Boys "Stand back and stand by."

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SI community. As you know I am and have been a supporter of President Trump. But the part of the debate where the president was asked to condemn white supremacists concerned me in particular. First, let me say I was disappointed because it should have been obvious to Trump that he was going to be asked this question. It has been a standard talking point of the president’s detractors that Trump supports white supremacists since the Charlottesville rally several years ago. So, I hoped that the president would have prepared a solid response to refute that argument.

Instead, when asked about condemning white supremacists, the president rambled around, asking who Chris Wallace wanted him to condemn. When Wallace said “white supremacists,” President Trump named a group, the Proud Boys, and then said, “stand back and stand by.” Now, Trump is privy to intelligence I am not, so maybe that is why he is aware of the Proud Boys. I was not until that moment. But what is up with the phrase, “Stand back and stand by”? I am concerned. What does “stand by” mean? I am starting to wonder if there is something to the white supremacy connections the media has claimed Trump and his advisors have.

Am I wrong? What do you all know?

Does Trump welcome white supremacist support?

Or is this just some weird Trump phraseology?

Discussion

I post this to get my unsolicited thread onto the New posts board.

Mark, I’m still making my mind up about it. But as far as President Trump being aware of the Proud Boys, I think Biden mentioned the name first. When President Trump asked Wallace/Biden to name a group, Biden said Proud boys first and then President Trump made his statement. I’m not sure if it ultimately changes anything, but it’s not clear to me if President Trump already knew about the Proud Boys or was just taking up the name Biden suggested.

I went back a listened to this exchange in the debate again and I missed a lot last night when I listened to it live. Hey, I was getting my twins ready for bed!

I didn’t hear live that Wallace asked Trump if he would tell white supremacists to “stand down.” That idea then came from Wallace, not Trump. Then when Trump asked who do you want me to condemn, Biden said “Proud Boys” like Ken above noted. So, it seems to me upon reflection Trump did condemn white supremacist groups and the wording was from the other 2, not Trump.

So far, this is the best summary of the Presidential debate last night.

Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.