In the face of broad criticism, including from key GOP senators, President Donald Trump on Wednesday addressed his failure to condemn white supremacist groups at Tuesday's debate.
Leaving the White House for campaign appearances in Minnesota, Trump told reporters he doesn't know who the "Proud Boys" are -- despite having told the far-right group, which reportedly has described itself as "Western chauvinist" but not white supremacist, to "stand back and stand by" at the debate.
"I don't know who the Proud Boys are. I mean, you'll you have to give me a definition because I really don't know who they are. I can only say they have to stand down, let law enforcement do their work," Trump said of the group which has staged counter protests in cities like Portland that have experienced recent violence.
But asked directly on Wednesday if he would denounce white supremacy, Trump claimed he has always denounced it -- yet once again didn't use the words "white supremacy."
"I've always denounced -- any form, any form, any form of any of that -- you have to denounce," Trump said.
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Asked on Wednesday morning if he found the president's comments concerning, GOP Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina -- the only African American in the Senate -- suggested the president misspoke and should "correct it."
"I think he misspoke in response to Chris Wallace's comment. He was asking Chris what he wanted to say. I think he misspoke. I think he should correct it," Scott told Capitol Hill reporters.
"If he doesn't correct it, I guess he didn't misspeak," he added.
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, asked directly if it's a problem that the president did not directly condemn white supremacy, said he agreed with Scott's criticism, calling Trump's failure "unacceptable."
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Sen. Lindsay Graham, another close ally of Trump's, also aligned himself with Scott's statement via Twitter.