Former KKK leader David Duke endorses Jill Stein, criticizes Trump over Israel stance

Former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke has endorsed Green Party nominee Jill Stein over former President Donald Trump, though Stein has publicly rejected the endorsement. Duke, a known white supremacist, cited Stein’s stance on Israel as the reason for his support, saying it led him to make "one of the most important statements that I have ever made politically." On his radio show, Duke praised Stein as the only candidate "brave enough to call out Israel's massacre of Palestinians in Gaza" and criticized Trump for his "full-throated subservience to Israel."

In response, Stein condemned the endorsement on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, writing, "A racist troll has 'endorsed' our campaign to draw attention to himself... Of course, I reject any 'endorsement' from a white supremacist like David Duke."

Duke’s endorsement comes as he expressed disappointment with Trump, whom he supported in both the 2016 and 2020 elections. Duke accused Trump of making "a bully pulpit for Jewish extremism" and further criticized his policies on Israel. The Stein, Harris, and Trump campaigns have yet to provide additional comments.

Israel's ongoing military actions in Gaza have been central to Duke's statements, which further criticized Trump's close ties with Israel. Stein continues to distance herself from Duke’s rhetoric, emphasizing her rejection of white supremacist ideologies.