Donald Trump’s Ties To The “Alt-Right” Movement

Democrat Hillary Clinton previews her upcoming speech today on Donald Trump’s ties to the “Alt-Right” fringe of the conservative spectrum.

Per the video, “the alt-right is the sort of ‘dressed up in suits’ version of the Neo-Nazi and white supremacist movements.”

Trump’s new campaign CEO, Steve Bannon, who has never run a presidential campaign, runs Breitbart News – one of the leading sources for “alt-right” news.

UPDATE: The Trump campaign predictably had a virtual meltdown via press release over the video.

“Hillary Clinton and her campaign went to a disgusting new low today as they released a video tying the Trump Campaign with horrific racial images.

“This type of rhetoric and repulsive advertising is revolting and completely beyond the pale.

“I call on Hillary Clinton to disavow this video and her campaign for this sickening act that has no place in our world.”

Donald Trump Campaign Gave Press Credentials To White Supremacist Radio Show

This does nothing to stem the accusations of “racist” directed at Republican front-runner Donald Trump.

From Media Matters:

Donald Trump’s presidential campaign gave press credentials to the white nationalist radio program The Political Cesspool, which says it will soon air an interview with Donald Trump Jr.

National civil rights groups have criticized the program for supporting anti-Semites, Holocaust deniers, and white supremacists like David Duke.

The show openly states on its website that it’s a “pro-White” program that wishes “to revive the White birthrate above replacement level fertility.”

It is hosted by white nationalist James Edwards, who has claimed that Martin Luther King Jr.’s “dream is our nightmare,” “interracial sex is white genocide,” and “slavery is the greatest thing that ever happened to” African-Americans.

Former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke is a frequent guest on the radio show.

GOP Congressman Steve Scalise Acknowledges Speaking To White Supremacist Group

Yesterday, I reported on Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise (R) who apparently spoke at a white supremacist group’s meeting in 2002.

At first, Scalise said he didn’t remember if he did or did not attend the meeting.

Today, he says he remembers but acknowledges it was a mistake.

Via MSNBC:

“Twelve years ago, I spoke to many different Louisiana groups as a state representative, trying to build support for legislation that focused on cutting wasteful state spending, eliminating government corruption, and stopping tax hikes,” Scalise said in a statement on Tuesday.

“One of the many groups that I spoke to regarding this critical legislation was a group whose views I wholeheartedly condemn. It was a mistake I regret, and I emphatically oppose the divisive racial and religious views groups like these hold.

“I am very disappointed that anyone would try to infer otherwise for political gain. As a Catholic, these groups hold views that are vehemently opposed to my own personal faith, and I reject that kind of hateful bigotry. Those who know me best know I have always been passionate about helping, serving, and fighting for every family that I represent. And I will continue to do so.”

Speaker of the House John Boehner stands by his guy with this statement:

“More than a decade ago, Representative Scalise made an error in judgment, and he was right to acknowledge it was wrong and inappropriate,” Boehner said. “Like many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I know Steve to be a man of high integrity and good character. He has my full confidence as our Whip, and he will continue to do great and important work for all Americans.”

GOP House Majority Whip Scalise Acknowledges Speaking At “White Nationalist” Meeting

Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner surely didn’t imagine he would begin the next Congress in this manner.

First, Republican Congressman Michael Grimm of Staten Island pleads guilty to felony tax evasion.

And now another GOP House member is in the middle of a racial controversy literally days before the Republican party is to take control of both chambers of Congress. 

The incoming House Majority Whip, Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, has acknowledged that he spoke at a meeting of “white nationalist leaders” (read that “white supremacists”) while serving as a state legislator in 2002.

The 48-year-old Scalise, who ascended to the House GOP’s third-ranking post earlier this year, confirmed through an adviser that he once appeared at a convention of the European-American Unity and Rights Organization.

That organization, founded by former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, has been called a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

As JoeMyGod points out, it should surprise no one that Scalise was the lead author of Louisiana’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.