David Duke, the former Ku Klux Klan leader mounting a comeback run as a Republican for U.S. Senate in Louisiana, has sent out robocalls urging voters to cast their ballots for him and Donald Trump in order to take back the country.
In the calls, which BuzzFeed News first reported on Monday, Duke warns, “Unless massive immigration is stopped now, we’ll be outnumbered and outvoted in our own nation. It’s happening.”
“We’re losing our gun rights, our free speech. We’re taxed to death. We’re losing our jobs and businesses to unfair trade. We’re losing our country,” he continues. “Look at the Super Bowl salute to the Black Panther cop killers. It’s time to stand up and vote for Donald Trump for President and vote for me, David Duke, for the U.S. Senate.”
Duke confirmed to BuzzFeed that the calls came from his campaign. In a statement to TPM, the Trump campaign said they had no knowledge of the robocalls.
“Mr. Trump has continued to denounce David Duke and any group or individual associated with a message of hate,” the campaign said in the statement. “There is no place for this in the Republican Party or our country. We have no knowledge of these calls or any related activities, but strongly condemn and disavow.”
Enthusiastic endorsements from Duke and other avowed white nationalists have for months dogged Donald Trump’s campaign. The GOP nominee eventually denounced Duke’s support earlier this year.
Duke again praised Trump for embracing “most of the issues I’ve championed for years” when he launched his Senate campaign last month.
Here’s the full text of the call:
Hi, this is David Duke. I’m sorry I missed you. I’m running for U.S. Senate, and I’ll tell the truth that no other candidate will dare say.
Unless massive immigration is stopped now, we’ll be outnumbered and outvoted in our own nation. It’s happening. We’re losing our gun rights, our free speech. We’re taxed to death. We’re losing our jobs and businesses to unfair trade. We’re losing our country.
Look at the Super Bowl salute to the Black Panther cop killers. It’s time to stand up and vote for Donald Trump for President and vote for me, David Duke, for the U.S. Senate. I’d love to hear from you.
To find out more, contribute, or volunteer for the DavidDuke.com. Go to Davidduke.com. Together, we’ll save America and save Louisiana. Paid for by the Duke campaign.
And listen to the audio via BuzzFeed:
This post has been updated.
Remember when a big hug from the Klan was the Third Rail of US politics?
"Well, just so you understand, I don’t know anything about David Duke. okay? 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.”
Mr. Trump, your pants are in combustion mode.
“Donald Trump would be best for the job” — Imperial Wizard Rebel Brigade, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan
But…but…but…
Anthony Weiner and something about an NFL player sitting down…