Trump wouldn't condemn white supremacists, tells Proud Boys 'stand back and stand by' in Biden debate

In the first presidential debate, Trump refused to condemn white supremacists and racism.

He said instead to these groups, and he shouted out the Proud Boys in particular, "Stand back and Stand by."

Is that a command to his armed base to prepare for violence after Trump loses the election?

Did he just tell white supremacists to stand back and stand by?

Proud Boys in social media groups are going wild about the "Stand back and stand by" comment. They are basically seeing it as acknowledgment and a call to arms
— Ezra Kaplan (@EzraNBC) September 30, 2020

"Stand back and stand by." The line of the night. What Donald J. Trump said to the greatest domestic terrorist threat of our time: White supremacists. "Stand back and stand by." #Debates2020
— Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) September 30, 2020

Literally when asked to disavow white supremacists Trump tells them to stand by. Just want to make sure that didn't blow past any one
— Jessica Mason Pieklo (@Hegemommy) September 30, 2020

Pressed to renounce white supremacists and rightwing militias, Trump says to these groups, "Stand back and stand by." That is hardly a denouncement. #Debate
— David Corn (@DavidCornDC) September 30, 2020

Chris Wallace brings up Trump's hatred of antifa, then asks the president to specifically condemn white supremacists and militia groups.

He doesn't.#debates #debates2020
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) September 30, 2020

"Proud Bois, stand back and standby." –@realDonaldTrump

He meant that standby. Standby and wait for further instructions.

BTW that was Trump "condemning" white supremacists. #Debates2020
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) September 30, 2020

Did he just tell white supremacists to "stand by?"
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) September 30, 2020

"Sure I'm willing to do that," the president says, when asked if he would condemn white supremacists. "But…" He changes the subject. Invited to actually do it, he doesn't.
— Steve Inskeep (@NPRinskeep) September 30, 2020

"Proud boys, stand back and stand by but somebody's got to do something about Antifa" was the president's answer when asked to condemn white supremacists.

I think this is the most despicable answer in presidential debate history. Anti-anti-Trump is now anti-anti-Proud Boy.
— Tim Miller (@Timodc) September 30, 2020

If you don't think the Proud Boys are encouraged by that tonight, you're crazy. That was "Very fine people on both sides" times a thousand.
— Jack Moore (@JackPMoore) September 30, 2020