King Claims He’s A ‘Nationalist’ And Advocate For Western Values, Not Racist

UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 28: Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, leaves a meeting of the House Republican Conference in the Capitol on November 28, 2018. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 28: Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, leaves a meeting of the House Republican Conference in the Capitol on November 28, 2018. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Just hours after being directly quoted in the New York Times questioning why terms like “white nationalist” and “white supremacists” are considered “offensive,” Rep. Steve King (R-IA) attempted to clarify his comments: “I am simply a Nationalist,” he said in a statement posted to Twitter.

“Today the New York Times is suggesting that I am an advocate for white nationalism and white supremacy,” he said. “I want to make one thing abundantly clear; I reject those labels and the evil ideology that they define.”

While it appears he’s attempting to combat the Times story, King gave the newspaper a clear quote: “White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how did that language become offensive?”

King is hardly a stranger to public uproar over his comments and affiliations with neo-Nazis and other white supremacist-affiliated groups.

Latest News
Comments
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: