White nationalists praise Trump for going 'full wink-wink-wink'


Neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups have praised the no-filter presumptive Republican nominee for making it acceptable to be outspoken about races they see as invasive or inferior. And although Donald Trump has said he "disavows" the support of such hate groups, many are now claiming that his use of images from white nationalist blogs on Twitter is a "full wink-wink-wink to his most aggressive supporters."
In fact, many white nationalists hear a whole lot of approval in the words "I disavow":
Mr. Trump has often used those words when confronted by reporters. The phrase is comfortingly nonspecific, a disavowal of everything and nothing. And whatever Mr. Trump's intentions, it has been powerfully reassuring to people on the far right."There's no direct object there," [white nationalist Richard] Spencer said. "It's kind of interesting, isn't it?"Mr. Trump's new supporters took his approach as a signal of support. In an interview on a "pro-white" radio show called "The Political Cesspool," [white nationalist William] Johnson, of the American Freedom Party, praised Mr. Trump's handling of the controversy."He disavowed us," Mr. Johnson acknowledged, "but he explained why there is so much anger in America that I couldn't have asked for a better approach from him." [The New York Times]
It would take a serious change of tone to dissuade white nationalists from seeing Trump's disavowals as anything other than a sly wink at them, too. "[Trump] says what everyone thinks," one Trump supporter told The New York Times at a rally in Richmond, Virginia. "He says what we're all thinking. He's bringing people together. We say, 'Hey, that's right; we can say this.'"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
You can learn more about why the groups are so encouraged by Trump's "disavowals" over at The New York Times.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
How will Trump's megabill affect you?
Today's Big Question Republicans have passed the 'big, beautiful bill' through Congress
-
Scientists are the latest 'refugees'
In the spotlight Brain drain to brain gain
-
5 dreamy books to dive into this July
The Week Recommends A 'politically charged' collection of essays, historical fiction goes sci-fi and more
-
Judge blocks Trump's asylum ban at US border
Speed Read The president violated federal law by shutting down the US-Mexico border to asylum seekers, said the ruling
-
Thai court suspends prime minister over leaked call
Speed Read Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended, pending an ethics investigation
-
Senate passes GOP megabill after Alaska side deal
The pivotal yes vote came from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whose support was secured following negotiated side deals for her home state Alaska
-
Trump sues LA over immigration policies
Speed Read He is suing over the city's sanctuary law, claiming it prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities
-
Obama, Bush and Bono eulogize USAID on final day
Speed Read The US Agency for International Development, a humanitarian organization, has been gutted by the Trump administration
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidents
The Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't
-
Senate advances GOP bill that costs more, cuts more
Speed Read The bill would make giant cuts to Medicaid and food stamps, leaving 11.8 million fewer people with health coverage
-
Canadian man dies in ICE custody
Speed Read A Canadian citizen with permanent US residency died at a federal detention center in Miami