David Duke, a former Ku Klux Klan leader, wrote on Twitter: "Thank you President Trump. Americans are 'Dreamers' too." | Gerald Herbert/AP Photo Trump's 'dreamers' line in State of the Union draws praise from David Duke 'Americans are dreamers too,' the president said.

President Donald Trump's sole reference to "dreamers" during his State of the Union address drew praise from David Duke and other white nationalists, who approved of how the speech reclaimed a term that has become a flash point in the immigration debate.

Trump invoked the "dreamers" term — usually associated with undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children — during the immigration policy piece of his speech. The president said he's "extending an open hand to work with members of both parties — Democrats and Republicans — to protect our citizens of every background, color, religion, and creed."


"My duty, and the sacred duty of every elected official in this chamber, is to defend Americans — to protect their safety, their families, their communities, and their right to the American Dream," the president continued. "Because Americans are dreamers too."

Democrats had used the speech to focus attention on "Dreamers," filling the balcony with recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

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Duke, a former Ku Klux Klan leader, wrote on Twitter: "Thank you President Trump. Americans are 'Dreamers' too." The comment lit up social media, with commentators noting Duke's comments and similar sentiments from other white nationalists such as Richard Spencer.

Duke has previously expressed his support for Trump, though the president has distanced himself from the support.