Trump Says He ‘Doesn’t Know Who the Proud Boys Are’

President Donald Trump claimed that he’s unfamiliar with the Proud Boys, a right-wing vigilante group he advised to “stand back and stand by” during Tuesday’s debate, and said they should step aside to let police regulate protests.

“I don’t know who the Proud Boys are,” Trump told reporters before departing the White House for a fundraiser and rally in Minnesota on Wednesday. “Whoever they are, they need to stand down, let law enforcement do their work.”

Trump has drawn criticism for declining to directly condemn White supremacy at the invitation of the debate moderator, Fox News host Chris Wallace. After Wallace suggested Trump tell groups like the Proud Boys to “stand down,” Trump responded, “Proud Boys, stand back and stand by.”

Members of the group celebrated the remark on social media.

On Wednesday, the White House and some GOP allies backed Trump’s remarks on White supremacy, noting that he said “sure,” “I’m willing to do that” and “I’m willing to do anything” in response to Wallace’s entreaties to condemn the groups.

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