KKK paper embraces Trump in front-page article

The Ku Klux Klan recently offered praise for Donald Trump, lauding the GOP presidential nominee’s pledge to “make America great again” in a front-page newspaper article.

In the article in The Crusader, the group’s official paper, KKK national director Thomas Robb argues that Trump’s popularity is a result of people recognizing that the country’s greatness has declined as it became more diverse.

{mosads}”While Trump wants to make America great again, we have to ask ourselves, ‘What made America great in the first place?'” Robb wrote. 

“The short answer to that is simple: America was great not because of what our forefathers did — but because of who our forefathers were. America was founded as a White Christian Republic.”

Screenshots of the article circulated on social media Tuesday, with many interpreting the article, displayed under Trump’s campaign slogan, as an endorsement of the Republican nominee.

“The Crusader” is the official newspaper of the KKK. #MAGA #DonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/mBTvLOFU9u

— Billy Gee (@billygee12) November 1, 2016

Robb pushed back on the characterization in an interview with The Washington Post on Tuesday.

“Overall, we do like his nationalist views and his words about shutting down the border to illegal aliens,” he said. “It’s not an endorsement because, like anybody, there’s things you disagree with. But he kind of reflects what’s happening throughout the world. There seems to be a surge of nationalism worldwide as nationals reclaim their borders.”

Trump has been forced to repeatedly disavow support from white nationalists and other groups during his candidacy.

In February, after former KKK leader David Duke said that he was supporting the businessman, Trump said in an interview that he did not know anything about Duke or any white supremacist groups but did not disavow the endorsement.

Trump, who faced widespread criticism for not more forcefully disavowing the KKK leader, later condemned Duke.

Updated: 8:55 p.m.