[US Presidential Debate] Trump Sparks Controversy by Telling White Supremacist Group to "Stand By"

No Response to Question on Requesting Restraint from Group Inciting Violent Protests
Instead, Named the Group and Said "Stand By"
The Group Made a 'Loyalty Oath'
Trump Expresses Frustration with Debate Moderator: "2-on-1 Match Was Difficult"

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Following the first US presidential debate held the day before, President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden continued their verbal sparring on October 30 (local time) through Twitter and speeches.

President Trump retweeted a New York Times article stating that the debate moderator had a tough time, saying, "(Moderator) Chris had a hard night. A 2-to-1 was not surprising."

This is understood as a complaint about moderator Chris Wallace repeatedly interrupting his remarks. Chris Wallace, the moderator of the debate, is affiliated with the conservative Fox News channel, which President Trump frequently watches, but he has a history of troubling Trump with pointed questions.

President Trump then claimed, "The radical left is abandoning 'Sleepy Joe.' Zero enthusiasm from the Democrats, weak leadership!" In a separate Twitter post, Trump also asserted that "he despised Bernie and practically called him a loser," suggesting a rift between progressive Senator Bernie Sanders and Biden.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Biden launched a counterattack, citing President Trump's provocation of white supremacists during the debate. Biden strongly criticized on Twitter, "The President of the United States refused to reject white supremacists during last night's debate."

US media outlets also focused heavily on this issue. During the debate the previous day, when the moderator asked if Trump would call on white supremacist groups to stop inciting violent protests, Trump demanded the moderator name the group, then mentioned the far-right white supremacist group 'Proud Boys' and said, "Stand back and stand by."

NBC reported that after this remark, individuals presumed to be Proud Boys members spread President Trump's statement on social media (SNS) and pledged their loyalty.

Even after their TV debate clash, the two continue their campaign rallies. Biden boarded a campaign train heading to the battleground state of Pennsylvania, while President Trump held a rally and a fundraising event in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.