Alyssa Milano, Jim Gaffigan and Other Celebrities Condemn Donald Trump's White Supremacy Remarks
The first presidential election debate led to President Donald Trump being labeled a "white supremacist" for failing to condemn the Proud Boys in Cleveland, Ohio on Tuesday night.
Outspoken anti-Trump celebrities had a strong reaction to the remarks with Alyssa Milano labeling the incumbent a "f****** racist" while Jim Gaffigan called him a "racist pig."
Trump was asked if would condemn "white supremacists and militia groups" and pressed to do so by Fox News moderator Chris Wallace and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
The president asked: "Who would you like me to condemn?"
To which Biden said Proud Boys, a group labeled extremist and with "ties to white nationalism" by the FBI which has been involved in acts of violence amid protests and seen attacking BLM protesters in recent months.
Trump responded: "Proud Boys, stand back and stand by." He continued: "But I'll tell you what, somebody's gotta do something about antifa and the left. This is not a right-wing problem. This is a left-wing problem."
In response to this moment, Charmed actress Milano, who has been vocal in her opposition to Trump and the Republicans for some years, tweeted: "You either denounce white supremacy or you're a f****** racist."
You either denounce white supremacy or you’re a fucking racist.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) September 30, 2020
Standup comedian Gaffigan said he was "so embarrassed" that Trump is the U.S. president, writing: "An interesting theory of why Trump doesn't denounce white supremacy is he a racist pig and nobody with any sense of decency should support or vote for him. #Debate2020 ##debates I'm so embarrassed he is the President."
An interesting theory of why Trump doesn’t denounce white supremacy is he a racist pig and nobody with any sense of decency should support or vote for him. #Debate2020 ##debates I’m so embarrassed he is the President
— Jim Gaffigan (@JimGaffigan) September 30, 2020
Gaffigan, in recent weeks, has been particularly vocal about the upcoming election launching into a scathing tirade against the President.
Legions of other celebrities and other famous faces have expressed their shock at Trump failing to condemn the Proud Boys—in 2018, the FBI listed the group as an "extremist group with ties to white nationalism." They have has also been called a hate group "known for anti-Muslim and misogynistic rhetoric" by The Southern Poverty Law Center.
"He just refused to condemn white supremacy. Refused," Jonathan Van Ness of Queer Eye fame tweeted. While Mindy Kaling from The Office added: "I denounce white supremacy! See that was so easy."
He just refused to condemn white supremacy. Refused.
— Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn) September 30, 2020
I denounce white supremacy! See that was so easy
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) September 30, 2020
Actress and DNC 2020 presenter Kerry Washington wrote: "Once again. He refuses to condemn White supremacy. PAY ATTENTION FOLKS. Please vote."
Once again. He refuses to condemn White supremacy. PAY ATTENTION FOLKS. Please vote.
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) September 30, 2020
Comedian Robin Thede tweeted: "FOR THE RECORD, HE DID NOT CONDEMN WHITE SUPREMACY."
FOR THE RECORD, HE DID NOT CONDEMN WHITE SUPREMACY
— Robin Thede (@robinthede) September 30, 2020
Many others tweeted to condemn Trump's comments about the Proud Boys, including Bernice King, Elizabeth Warren and Katy Perry.
The President just refused to condemn white supremacy
— Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) September 30, 2020
Not sure how the pundits score that one!
Donald Trump still couldn’t deny white supremacy. By the way Trump told the Proud Boys to STAND BY.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 30, 2020
Just triple checking he didn’t condemn white supremacy.
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) September 30, 2020
You know damn well Donald J. Trump will never condemn white supremacy.
— Charles Booker (@Booker4KY) September 30, 2020
Denouncing white supremacy matters.
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) September 30, 2020
He literally couldn’t denounce white supremacy.
— Jack Quaid (@JackQuaid92) September 30, 2020
Trump cannot condemn white supremacy.
— Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) September 30, 2020
SAY IT FOR HIM. Condemn white supremacy and blatant racism with YOUR vote, Nov 3rd! #Debates2020
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) September 30, 2020
So everyone saw Trump refuse to denounce white supremacy on live television, right?
— Ashley Nicole Black (@ashleyn1cole) September 30, 2020
Donald Trump fans the flames of racism, embraces white supremacy, and employs state violence against Americans exercising their rights. That's Donald Trump's America.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) September 30, 2020
Donald Trump refused to condemn white supremacy tonight and instead told white supremacists to "stand by"
— Don Winslow (@donwinslow) September 30, 2020
He told them to stand by.
He wants violence in the streets.
He wants a civil war after November 3.
Saying that white supremacy has no place in our nation should be easy for any leader to say. #Debates2020
— Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) September 30, 2020
And please don't let it slip by you that tonight the President of the Untied States refused to condemn white supremacy--not once, not twice but several times when given the opportunity while telling white supremacist groups to "stand down and stand by". #Debate2020
— Michael Steele (@MichaelSteele) September 30, 2020
Meanwhile, Fox News's Wallace who moderated the debate has been heavily criticized for being seen as unable to keep the debate on track with calls mounting for Joe Rogan to host a debate between the two candidates.
