One of the few newspapers to endorse Donald Trump’s candidacy was the Crusader, the official publication of the Klu Klux Klan. “America was founded as a White Christian Republic. And as a White Christian Republic it became great,” Pastor Thomas Robb wrote.
Last night, former KKK Grand Wizard David Duke — who ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate — celebrated Trump’s victory on Twitter.
Duke called Trump’s victory “one of the most exciting nights of my life.” He also tweeted a picture of people waiving the Confederate Flag and celebrating.
This is one of the most exciting nights of my life -> make no mistake about it, our people have played a HUGE role in electing Trump! #MAGA pic.twitter.com/HvJyiJYuVa
— David Duke (@DrDavidDuke) November 9, 2016
Donald J. Trump now has the chance to become one of the greatest Americans to have ever lived – we have the moral high ground, 100%!#MAGA pic.twitter.com/l9EsAMrMKR
— David Duke (@DrDavidDuke) November 9, 2016
Make no mistake about it – Donald J. Trump owes his victory to -> THE SOUTH!#AmericaFirst #ElectionNight #ElectionResults #PresidentTrump pic.twitter.com/zJibIkNaIm
— David Duke (@DrDavidDuke) November 9, 2016
Trump’s relationship with Duke is complicated. He initially was reluctant to disavow Duke’s endorsement.
“Just so you understand, I don’t know anything about David Duke, OK?,” Trump told CNN’s Jake Tapper. “I know nothing about David Duke; I know nothing about white supremacists.”
In a press conference shortly thereafter, he did nominally disavow Duke.
As I stated at the press conference on Friday regarding David Duke- I disavow. pic.twitter.com/OIXFKPUlz2
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2016
More recently, Trump’s son Eric said Duke “deserves a bullet.”
Duke’s enthusiasm was shared by other prominent white nationalists.
The Saxon has awoken.
— Richard ☝🏻Spencer (@RichardBSpencer) November 9, 2016
I want to thank all of my fans for amplifying my voice during this campaign and helping to elect #PresidentTrump! We did it!
— Mark Dice (@MarkDice) November 9, 2016
We just blew up the Death Star! – Alex Jones #TrumpTheEstablishment ( https://t.co/OQtch0tDED ) pic.twitter.com/kANczbsj1B
— Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) November 9, 2016
Twitter was also abuzz with reports that the KKK celebrating on an overpass in North Carolina. That story is inaccurate. The photo shows Trump supporters on an overpass but they were not dressed KKK garb.