Anti-Defamation League CEO: “Trump Should Just Come Clean” On Support From David Duke And Other White Supremacists

From the February 28 edition of CNN's CNN Newsroom with Fredricka Whitfield:

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FREDRICKA WHITFIELD (HOST): We heard Donald Trump there saying that he disavows David Duke. He said he did that in a Friday press conference, but then when he was pressed again today by our own Jake Tapper, he didn't seem to want to go as far as saying that. So now your group says it will provide information for all the presidential candidates on hate and extremist groups. What exactly is this plan all about?

JONATHAN GREENBLATT, CEO, ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE: Well, look, the Anti-Defamation League for over 100 years has been fighting bigotry and anti-Semitism and we don't endorse any political candidate or support any political party. But let me be clear, it is profoundly disappointing and somewhat puzzling when a candidate for the highest office in our nation claims not to be aware of or clear about who David Duke or the Ku Klux Klan might be. Let me be clear, it's time for Donald Trump just to be as forthright with us as he is with his rallies and on the debates, does he support him or not?

WHITFIELD: As you try to analyze what he said, what he hasn't said, what do you suppose is behind the initial reticence and then admission that he did disavow on Friday?

GREENBLATT: Well, I'll tell you, it's confusing when he disavows or doesn't disavow, knows or doesn't know. Donald Trump should just come clean, does he reject David Duke and reject the white supremacists who are retweeting his campaign, or giving him support, or not? It's a simple thing to do, really, and this ugly rhetoric mainstreams white supremacists with their racism. We need to push it out of the political debate.

Previously:

CNN's Jake Tapper Presses Donald Trump To Condemn The Ku Klux Klan

CNN's State Of The Union Panel Slams Trump For Not Disavowing The KKK