In a surprising and politically charged move, former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke has endorsed Green Party candidate Jill Stein for president over former President Donald Trump. This shift underscores growing discontent within certain far-right circles about Trump’s strong pro-Israel stance. Duke’s endorsement of a Jewish candidate, despite his long record of antisemitic and white supremacist rhetoric, adds a layer of complexity to the dynamics of the upcoming election.
Duke’s Rationale: A Critique of Trump’s Pro-Israel Policy
Duke, a former Louisiana state representative and one of America’s most notorious white supremacists, announced his endorsement on his radio show. He expressed dissatisfaction with Trump’s “full-throated subservience to Israel and the Jewish lobby” and highlighted Jill Stein’s opposition to military aid to Israel as the key reason for his support. Duke’s views reflect a growing schism in far-right circles, where Trump’s close relationship with Israel has alienated some of his original base, particularly those with deeply ingrained antisemitic beliefs.
While far-right extremists initially celebrated Trump’s nationalist and hardline immigration policies, his unwavering support for Israel, including moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, has become a point of contention. This tension is emblematic of a larger contradiction in the far right: the desire for nationalism and isolationism often conflicts with Trump’s foreign policy actions, especially concerning Israel.
Contradictions in Endorsing a Jewish Candidate
What makes Duke’s endorsement even more perplexing is that Jill Stein is not only Jewish but also a far-left candidate, standing in stark contrast to Duke’s far-right ideology. However, Duke framed his endorsement around Stein’s foreign policy stance, particularly her vocal opposition to Israel’s military campaigns in Gaza, which he interprets as standing against “Jewish supremacy” and “mass murder.”
In his radio show, Duke said, “Although Dr. Stein and I obviously have our differences on important issues, she’s the only candidate who speaks clearly against the war in the Middle East,” citing her opposition to Israel as a reason to support her.
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The potential spoiler effect of Stein’s candidacy
Democrats, particularly the Kamala Harris campaign, have seized on Duke’s endorsement of Stein as a warning to liberal voters about the potential spoiler effect in the upcoming election. Stein’s candidacy in 2016 drew criticism for siphoning votes from Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, particularly in key swing states. A Quinnipiac poll shows Trump leading Harris 52% to 45% in Georgia, with Stein polling at just 1%. However, without third-party candidates like Stein, Harris’s support rises to 46%, highlighting the risk she poses to the Democratic vote share.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has launched a campaign to remind voters of Stein’s role in the 2016 election and to prevent a similar outcome. Arizona state Rep. Analise Ortiz stated, “I was really surprised by how apathetic and angry voters were. People really just did not want to vote.”
Stein’s Rejection of Duke’s Endorsement
Predictably, Stein swiftly disregarded Duke’s endorsement. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Stein wrote, “A racist troll has ‘endorsed’ our campaign to draw attention to himself,” distancing herself from any association with Duke. She further criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for allegedly “bragging about her endorsement from white supremacist mass murderer Dick Cheney,” shifting the focus to what she sees as Harris’s controversial endorsements.
Jason Call, Stein’s campaign manager, emphasized their rejection of any endorsement or association with Duke, criticizing the media for focusing on Duke’s endorsement instead of the important issues.
Far-Right Fractures and Trump’s Jewish Support
This development also sheds light on the fractures within the far right. While some continue to rally behind Trump for his nationalistic and anti-immigration policies, others, like Duke, are disillusioned by his perceived loyalty to Israel. Trump’s relationship with Jewish voters remains complex, with some conservative Jewish groups supporting him for his pro-Israel stance, while others are concerned by his use of antisemitic tropes.
