Trump declines to condemn Ku Klux Klan Later, however, he said he had previously rejected support from David Duke.

Donald Trump on Sunday morning refused to condemn actions taken and comments made by the Ku Klux Klan and one of its former leaders, claiming he needed to do "more research" before taking a position.

Speaking on CNN's State of the Union, Trump was asked by Jake Tapper to respond to recent comments made by white supremacist David Duke, the former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. Duke and other white supremacist groups have supported Trump's bid for the Republican presidential nomination.


"Just so you understand, I don't know anything about David Duke, OK?" he said. "I don't know anything about what you're even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists."

Trump, however, was asked about Duke during a press conference late last week, and said then that he disavowed him. He responded to the criticism following Sunday's show by sharing a clip of his answer on Twitter.

As I stated at the press conference on Friday regarding David Duke- I disavow. pic.twitter.com/OIXFKPUlz2 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2016





Trump's Sunday remarks drew strong criticism from other presidential candidates.

Hillary Clinton, in response to a question in Nashville about Trump's remarks, said, "It's pathetic."

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who has increased his attacks on the GOP front-runner following last week's CNN debate, said on his social media accounts: "We cannot be a party that nominates someone who refuses to condemn white supremacists and the Ku Klux Klan."

Ohio Gov. John Kasich tweeted: "Hate groups have no place in America. We are stronger together. End of story."

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz also rejected the comments. He tweeted: "Really sad. @realDonaldTrump you're better than this. We should all agree, racism is wrong, KKK is abhorrent."

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders tweeted: "America's first black president cannot and will not be succeeded by a hatemonger who refuses to condemn the KKK."

Trump has spoken about Duke in the past. The New York Times quoted Trump in February 2000 as saying, "So the Reform Party now includes a Klansman, Mr. Duke, a neo-Nazi, Mr. Buchanan, and a communist, Ms. Fulani. This is not company I wish to keep.'' Trump was a member of the Reform Party in 1999; he was referring to Pat Buchanan and Lenora Fulani in addition to Duke.

Duke, a frequent political candidate who once won more than 650,000 votes for governor of Louisiana, told an audience last week that while hasn't formally endorsed Trump he does support his candidacy, and voting for anyone other than Trump "is really treason to your heritage."

“Voting for these people, voting against Donald Trump at this point, is really treason to your heritage,” Duke said on the David Duke Radio Program.

On Sunday morning, Tapper continued to press Trump on the question, but the GOP front-runner refused to disavow Duke on the program.

"I have to look at the group. I mean, I don't know what group you're talking about. You wouldn't want me to condemn a group that I know nothing about. I'd have to look."

Trump said if Tapper send him a "list of the group" he would "do research on them and certainly" disavow any bad comments.

"You may have groups in there that are totally fine — it would be very unfair," Trump said.

Tapper again clarified that he was referring to the Ku Klux Klan.

Trump's comments come just two days before Super Tuesday, when a large number of Southern states hold primaries.

