The Proud Boys are cheering.

The group that calls themselves the “Proud Boys,” and claim to be “western chauvinists” but have been called a far right extremist, neo-fascist, misogynistic, transphobic, Islamophobic, and white nationalist hate group that promotes violence, just got a major show of support from President Donald Trump.

During Tuesday night’s presidential debate Fox News’ Chris Wallace asked the President – who has a long and ugly history of racism, white nationalism, and some say white supremacism – to condemn white supremacists.

He couldn’t.

Ultimately, he told the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by.”

The group took to the social media platform Parler, which has become home to white supremacists, conservatives, and anti-Semites, and cheered. New York Times correspondent Mike Baker, who has been doing excellent work in Portland, tweeted out screenshots immediately after Trump’s remarks.

Clearly they’re ready for action – and awaiting orders from the president.

The Proud Boys are ecstatic tonight about getting mentioned in the debate tonight. “Trump basically said to go fuck them up! this makes me so happy,” writes one prominent Proud Boy. pic.twitter.com/hYA7yQVAOn — Mike Baker (@ByMikeBaker) September 30, 2020

Journalist Jonathan Katz says Trump didn’t condemn, he gave an order:

“Proud Boys stand back and stand by” is not a condemnation, it’s an order. — Jonathan Myerson Katz (@KatzOnEarth) September 30, 2020

Media Matters’ senior researcher Alex Kaplan reports the Proud Boys immediately incorporated Trump’s orders into their logo:

The Proud Boys on Telegram have now posted an image with its logo and Trump’s remark. https://t.co/xSySGrohcm pic.twitter.com/UAJFsKCsbX — Alex Kaplan (@AlKapDC) September 30, 2020

CNN Security Correspondent Josh Campbell notes the language Trump used means “remain ready and alert.”

Trump told white supremacists to “stand by.” The phrase “stand by” in paramilitary circles means: Remain ready and alert. We’ll call you if we need you. — Josh Campbell (@joshscampbell) September 30, 2020

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) says Trump didn’t just refuse to denounce white supremacists, he cheered them on.

This will be the story. Trump refused to condemn white supremacy. No – he cheered them on. And they heard him loud and clear. https://t.co/9lJQp49tOH — Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) September 30, 2020

The Anti-Defamation League’s Jonathan Greenblatt says Trump owes Americans an apology or an explanation: