Prominent white nationalist David Duke called for supporters to rally around Republican Donald Trump’s presidential campaign after his wins in Nevada and South Carolina, and said casting a vote for another candidate is “treason.”
Duke, a former Louisiana state representative and grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, said on his Wednesday radio show that Trump is running the “most insurgent campaign in recent American history” and railed against Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL).
“Voting for these people, voting against Donald Trump at this point is really treason to your heritage,” Duke said about Cruz and Rubio, in a segment first reported by BuzzFeed news. “I’m not saying I endorse everything about Trump, in fact, I haven’t formally endorsed him. But I do support his candidacy, and I support voting for him as a strategic action.”
He also said Trump’s presidential campaign is “waking up millions of Americans.”
Trump is uniquely positioned to take on the Republican establishment, which Duke characterized as an “enemy to your heritage and your values.”
Duke also issued a call to action for listeners to volunteer on Trump’s campaign.
“I am telling you that it is your job now to get active. Get off your duff. Get off your rear end that’s getting fatter and fatter for many of you every day on your chairs. When this show’s over, go out, call the Republican Party, but call Donald Trump’s headquarters, volunteer,” he said. “They’re screaming for volunteers.”
Duke continued: “You’re gonna meet people who are going to have the same kind of mindset that you have. Educate them.”
Trump has enjoyed strong support from white supremacist groups, but has maintained distance from the organizations. One super PAC recently blanketed states with robocalls urging voters not to “vote for a Cuban.”
Listen to Duke’s remarks about Trump, which begin around the 15-minute mark (via BuzzFeed News):
Trump: I agree unconditionally. Not only will I prosecute Hillary after I become POTUS, I will go after Canadian and Cuban candidates in my own party. Only Natural Born will be left in Amerika after I am done.
This feels like we should all report to Hogwarts…
Thanks Dave for motivating every African-American in the USA that was sitting on the fence.
vote for another candidate is “treason.”
Yea…it’s all so very complex except when it’s not.