Donald Trump becomes a "Know-Nothing" on David Duke, white supremacists

Trump refuses to acknowledge a vital (and dangerous) aspect of his presidential campaign

Donald Trump is apparently trying to unite the Republican Party with the failed “Know-Nothing” Party of the 19th century.

Trump was asked whether he’d repudiate the endorsement of known KKK leader David Duke. But Trump refused to acknowledge he knew anything about Duke, his ties to the KKK, or white supremacy altogether.

“Just so you understand, I don't know anything about David Duke, OK?” Trump said to CNN on Sunday. He added, “I don't know anything about what you're even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists...I know nothing about David Duke; I know nothing about white supremacists.”

But in 2000, Trump had stated he did know about Duke and his ties to the KKK:

Trump cited Duke's participation in the Reform Party as one reason he no longer wanted the party's nomination.

"The Reform Party now includes a Klansman, Mr. Duke, a neo-Nazi, Mr. [Pat] Buchanan, and a communist, Ms. [Lenora] Fulani. This is not company I wish to keep," he wrote in his statement.

Like the original “Know-Nothings,” Trump is refusing to acknowledge the troubled aspects of his political campaign, namely the racist, xenophobic and anti-immigrant stances that he’s taken. Those ideals have garnered him support from people like Duke, and have resulted in violent outbursts from his supporters that he refuses to concede exists.

Later in the day, Trump tried to cover up his tracks, claiming he had already disavowed David Duke previously. But his words now don’t match what he’s said before, in this campaign and in the past.

Whether Trump acknowledges it or not, the American people need to be aware of his dangerous rhetoric and his troubling associations. Trump is not what America stands for, and he will not “make it great” by any measure should he get elected president.