Tim Scott believes Trump ‘misspoke’ when he told Proud Boys to ‘stand back and stand by’

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott believes Donald Trump misspoke during Tuesday night’s presidential debate when he refused to condemn white supremacy and directly addressed a prominent far-right group to “stand back and stand by.”

Moderator Chris Wallace gave Trump a chance during the forum to condemn organizations that were inciting violence. When Trump asked for one he should speak out against, Democrat Joe Biden suggested “The Proud Boys” — an alt-right self-described “western chauvinist” group. 

Instead of condemning them, Trump told the group to “stand back and stand by” and blamed liberals for the violence in many cities.

Scott, R-S.C., the lone Black Republican in the Senate, told reporters in Washington on Wednesday he believed Trump made a mistake and didn’t mean to say his comments. 

“White supremacy should be denounced at every turn,” Scott said. “I think the president misspoke, and he needs to correct it. If he doesn’t correct it, I guess he didn’t misspeak.”

Trump’s reaction was regarded by many viewers as the most notable comment of the night, and created a flurry of tweets, headlines and criticism that he was giving the group an endorsement. 

Scott has been critical of the president in the past over his racially charged comments. He previously said the Trump administration’s “moral authority” had been compromised because of their response to the racial violence during a 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va.

In 2019, he also said the president’s comments where “racially offensive” when Trump targeted a group of Democratic congresswomen and told them to “go back” to their countries of origin. 

Following Tuesday night’s debate in Cleveland, the Proud Boys turned Trump’s words into a logo that has been shared widely on social media and leaders for the organization celebrated the president’s comments. 

Trump’s comments about the Proud Boys come after a summer of elevated racial tensions and civil unrest following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery — three Black Americans who died at the hands of police and vigilantes. 

In response, peaceful protests, as well as some violent riots, have broken out in American cities, including Charleston and Columbia.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Trump has not publicly addressed his comments. 

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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Reach Thomas Novelly at 843-937-5713. Follow him @TomNovelly on Twitter.