President Donald Trump has been accused of using language that fuels hate and incites racial unrest.
NBC’s Kristen Welker, who moderated the debate, asked Trump how he would respond to people who say his rhetoric contributes to “a climate of hate and racial strife.”
Specifically, she pressed the president on his claim that Black Lives Matter is a “symbol of hate.”
“Well, you have to understand, the first time I heard of Black Lives Matter, they were chanting ‘pigs in a blanket’ — talking about police. Pigs, pigs, talking about our police. ‘Pigs in a blanket, fry ’em like bacon. I said, ‘That’s a horrible thing.’ And they were marching down the street. And that was my first glimpse of Black Lives Matter,” Trump responded.
He continued, “As far as my relationships with all people, I think I have great relationships with all people. I am the least racist person in this room.”
Welker interjected to ask, “But what do you say to Americans who are concerned by that rhetoric?”
“I don’t know what to say,” Trump said, adding, “I got criminal justice reform done, and prison reform, and opportunity zones. I took care of Black colleges and universities. I don’t know what to say. They can say anything. I mean, they can say anything. It makes me sad. Because I am the least racist person.”
Watch the video below:
Trump trashes Black Lives Matter, then claims, "I am the least racist person in this room." pic.twitter.com/kyP3D9rqsg
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 23, 2020
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden responded, “Abraham Lincoln here is one of the most racist presidents we’ve had in modern history.”
“He pours fuel on every single racist fire. Every single one. He started off his campaign, coming down the escalator, saying he’s going to get rid of those Mexican rapists. He’s banned Muslims because they’re Muslims,” he added.
He also noted a moment during the first debate when Trump did not explicitly condemn white supremacists and far-right groups and instead told them to “stand back and stand by.”
“Come one, this guy is a dog-whistle about as big as a foghorn,” he added.