Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is calling for a correction from President Trump after he refused to condemn white supremacists and told the Proud Boys to "stand by" during the first 2020 presidential debate.
Scott, the only Black Republican in the U.S. Senate, reacted Wednesday to Trump during Tuesday's presidential debate not condemning white supremacists when asked to do so and telling the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group, to "stand back and stand by." Scott said he believes Trump "misspoke" but that he should correct the remarks.
"I think he misspoke in response to Chris Wallace's comment," Scott said, per CNN. "He was asking Chris what he wanted to say. I think he misspoke. I think he should correct it. If he doesn't correct it, I guess he didn't misspeak."
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.
When Wallace asked Trump during the debate if he would be willing to condemn white supremacists and tell them to "stand down," Trump said he's "willing to do" so. But Trump then asked Wallace "who would you like me to condemn," and when former Vice President Joe Biden suggested the Proud Boys, Trump said, "Proud Boys, stand back and stand by."
Trump campaign press secretary Hogan Gidley on Wednesday told CNN the Proud Boys is a "reprehensible group" and that Trump wants them "to get out of the way." Trump, however, has yet to offer a clarification of his remarks, and White House Communications Director Alyssa Farah told Fox News there isn't "anything to clarify" about what he said.
Trump faced criticism for his failure to specifically condemn white supremacy and the Proud Boys including on Fox News, and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who helped the president prepare for the debates, on Wednesday told Good Morning America that "the next opportunity" Trump has to "clarify that answer," he "should do that." Brendan Morrow
-
Christian Brückner: why prime suspect in Madeleine McCann case can refuse Met interviewThe Explainer International letter of request rejected by 49-year-old convicted rapist as he prepares to walk free
-
Angela Rayner: the rise and fall of a Labour stalwartIn the Spotlight Deputy prime minister resigned after she underpaid £40,000 in stamp duty
-
Crossword: September 16, 2025The Week's daily crossword
-
Russia slams Kyiv, hits government buildingSpeed Read This was Moscow's largest aerial assault since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022
-
China's Xi hosts Modi, Putin, Kim in challenge to USSpeed Read Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Asian leaders at an SCO summit
-
Russian strike on Kyiv kills 23, hits EU officesSpeed Read The strike was the second-largest since Russia invaded in 2022
-
UN votes to end Lebanon peacekeeping missionSpeed Read The Trump administration considers the UN's Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to be a 'waste of money'
-
Israeli double strike on Gaza hospital kills 20Speed Read The dead include five journalists who worked for The Associated Press, Reuters and Al Jazeera
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
Kyiv marks independence as Russia downplays peaceSpeed Read President Vladimir Putin has no plans to meet with Zelenskyy for peace talks pushed by President Donald Trump
-
Trump halts Gaza visas as Israelis protest warSpeed Read Laura Loomer voiced her concerns over injured Palestinian kids being brought to the US for treatment and a potential 'Islamic invasion'
