Donald Trump tweets, then deletes video of supporter shouting 'white power'

29 June 2020, 10:25

Donald Trump tweeted and deleted video of supporter shouting "white power"

By Maddie Goodfellow

Donald Trump tweeted and then deleted a post containing a video of one of his supporters shouting a “white power" chant after facing a barrage of criticism on social media.

The footage was taken at a demonstration in Florida.

"White Power" is a racist slogan associated with white supremacists and a White House spokesman said the president had "not heard" the statement on then video.

The video appeared to have been taken at The Villages, a Florida retirement community, and showed rival demonstrations between Trump supporters and opponents.

"Thank you to the great people of The Villages," Mr Trump tweeted.

Donald Trump has now deleted the video
Donald Trump has now deleted the video. Picture: Getty

Moments into the video clip he shared, a man driving a golf cart displaying pro-Trump signs and flags shouts "white power".

The video also shows anti-Trump protesters shouting "Nazi", "racist", and profanities at the Trump supporters.

"There's no question" that Mr Trump should not have retweeted the video and "he should just take it down" Senator Tim Scott told CNN's State Of The Union. Mr Scott is the only black Republican in the Senate.

Shortly afterwards, Mr Trump deleted the tweet that shared the video.

White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement that "President Trump is a big fan of The Villages. He did not hear the one statement made on the video. What he did see was tremendous enthusiasm from his many supporters."

South Carolina senator Tim Scott, who is the sole African American Republican in the Senate, said: “There’s no question that he should not have retweeted it and he should just take it down.”

“It was so profanity laced, the entire thing was offensive. Certainly, the comment about the white power was offensive. It’s indefensible. We should take it down.”

Trump calls protesters ‘thugs’ after George Floyd death in police custody

The president's decision to highlight a video featuring a racist slogan comes amid a national reckoning over race following the deaths of George Floyd and other black Americans.

Mr Floyd, from Minneapolis, died after a white police officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes.

Protests against police brutality and bias in law enforcement have occurred across the country following Mr Floyd's death and there has also been a push to remove Confederate monuments, an effort Mr Trump has opposed.

Mr Trump's tenure in office has appeared to have emboldened white supremacist and nationalist groups, some of whom have embraced his presidency.

In 2017, Mr Trump responded to clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia, between white nationalists and counter-protesters by saying there were "very fine people on both sides".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Jeffrey Donaldson

DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson 'charged with allegations of historic nature' as he steps down as party leader

Russia bombed Ukrainian infrastructure overnight

Russia launches 'massive attack' on Ukraine's power supplies, with 'energy security under growing threat'

Newry Magistrates' Court

Man, 61, charged with non-recent sexual offences in Northern Ireland

Drivers queuing in Dover on Friday morning

Holidaymakers hit with 2-hour Dover ferry waits amid strong winds, as 2.6m hit the roads for Good Friday getaway

The attack happened on a train in south London

Teenager charged with attempted murder after south London train stabbing, with victim still in critical condition

Mother Natalie Pinnell

Mother left in tears after daughter with complex needs 'erased' from school photo

Amber Rudd and Mary Beard have both been nominated to the Garrick Club

Amber Rudd and Mary Beard among seven women nominated for membership of all-male Garrick Club

Exclusive
Anneliese Dodds said Labour would make sure local people have 'skin in the game' with tackling inequality

'Rebuild has to start from ground up,' Labour's Anneliese Dodds says, and 'local people must have skin in the game'

Mohamed Mansour has been awarded a knighthood

Conservatives accused of 'cronyism' after donor who gave £5 million awarded knighthood in surprise honours list

Exclusive
Justin Welby recalled his experience of coping with his father's drinking as a teenager.

‘It was utterly isolating’: Archbishop of Canterbury recalls harrowing childhood with alcoholic father

More than 2 million drivers are set to hit the road on Good Friday.

Easter Carmageddon: Over two million drivers to hit the road on Good Friday after Storm Nelson travel chaos

Michael Gove has slammed the water firm as a 'disgrace'.

Thames Water bosses branded a ‘disgrace’ as Michael Gove tells firm ‘not to punish consumers’ for its failings

South Africa Bus Crash

Girl, 8, the sole survivor as 45 die in bus crash off South Africa bridge

A spokesman has denied reports the sausage dog could be banned.

The wurst news is over: Germany denies claims of sausage dog ban

Israel Palestinians Britain Aid

UN top court orders Israel to open more land crossings into Gaza

Greece Confidence Vote

Greece’s government survives no-confidence motion called over rail disaster