In a sit-down interview with a Richmond news station, the Imperial Wizard of the Rebel Brigade Knights of the Ku Klux Klan said Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump is his candidate for President.
The KKK leader, identified by WWBT only as “Imperial Wizard,” also insisted his organization is not a hate group, telling the station’s black anchor, “We don’t hate anyone.”
Asked who he was supporting in the 2016 race, the wizard replied: “I think Donald Trump would be best for the job.”
“The reason a lot of Klan members like Donald Trump is because a lot of what he believes in, we believe in. We want our country to be safe,” he said.
The leader went on to say if Trump were to drop out, he would back Ohio Gov. John Kasich before Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), saying Cruz “is not an American citizen” because he was born in Canada.
WWBT’s interview opens with anchor Chris Thomas, trailed by a sheriff’s deputy as a precaution, driving to meet with Klansmen in a remote location in a national forest, because Thomas said the leader would only be interviewed on “his turf.”
The story was spurred by the group mounting a recruitment drive in the Richmond area, dropping fliers that read “I want you for the KKK” in mailboxes and front yards, Thomas said.
While the Imperial Wizard said Obama’s presidency has been “a very good recruiting tool,” he said it’s because of Obama’s politics, not his race.
“We are not white supremacists, we’re white separatists,” the leader said on camera. “We’re not the big bad hate group people think we are.”
It’s not the first time Trump has earned the support of the KKK. Former leader David Duke endorsed the Republican in February, sparking outrage over Trump’s delayed response in distancing himself from Duke.
Watch the interview via WWBT:
NBC12 – WWBT – Richmond, VA News On Your Side
Correction: This post misstated the anchor’s last name. It is Thomas. We regret the error.
Remember when being a violent, racist nutjob, recklessly threatening to nuke other countries was the third rail in politics?
Vote Trump 2016: The Man With a Klan … cause In Your Heart, You Know He’s White!
WooooWeeee! They just write themselves.
#Trump: Make America White Again
rotfl…Yup Donny! You have the black vote securely wrapped up!
Well, as long as they’re dropping flyers at random houses, I’d love to see a bunch of Hispanics and blacks volunteer to sign up.
Since they’re separatists, I guess we’d have the first black KKK…with black sheets and black hoods?
when did British Racing Green become a Klan robe color?
As a Virginian, born and raised, I am disgusted by these people. I can assure you that the vast majority of Virginians are not represented by the likes of this “Imperial Wizard.” I don’t know where these folks performed this interview, but I have a few ideas. Greene County and Rappahannock County come to mind – but that’s not to imply all or most of the residents of those counties support the KKK. Growing up here in the Shenandoah Valley, one gets to know a lot of stuff … good and bad. Kudos to WWBT and Chris Taylor for shining a light on them. Thank you.