The debate was held at Dillard University, a historically black school in New Orleans.
When asked about the use of the phrase "CNN Jews" in an article on his website, Duke defended the comment saying, "There is a problem in America with a very strong, powerful tribal group that dominates our media, dominates our international banking. I'm not opposed to all Jews.I’m against Jews or anybody else that puts the interests of some other place over our own country."
One of the most prominent white supremacists in the US, Duke described himself at one point as "Donald Trump’s most loyal advocate," though the Republican nominee has tried to distance himself from Duke. In late August, Duke’s campaign sent out a robocall endorsing Trump, calling for an end to "massive immigration" and criticizing singer Beyonce’s Superbowl performance, which he called a "salute to the Black Panther cop killers."
Duke also claimed there was a Jewish "cabal in this government" manipulating US foreign policy. He then put former Secretary of State Clinton in his crosshairs, accusing her of inadvertently supporting America’s enemies abroad. "It was just admitted by Clinton that our government's been supporting Saudi Arabia which she admits was supporting ISIS,” he said. "The lady should be getting the electric chair, being charged with treason."
The klansman barely met the 5% threshold needed to participate in the event, and he is falling far behind his four opponents, with an August University of New Orleans poll reporting that 80% of the 614 respondents held a negative view of Duke.
Dillard officials claim they were not aware of the debate’s participants when they agreed to host the event, and Raycom Media, which sponsored the debate, did not allow an audience, though the company did not indicate Duke’s presence as the cause.
The news of Duke on campus infuriated students and led to protests outside the venue, with demonstrators clashing with police while trying to enter the building, leading some to be pepper sprayed and at least two being arrested and later released.
— Nick Reimann (@nicksreimann) November 3, 2016
The Washington Examiner quoted a letter written by campus group Socially Engaged Dillard University Students, decrying Duke’s presence. They wrote, "Everything David Duke promotes is an anathema to us, a Historically Black College & University… Instead of denying the presence of this terrorist onto our campus, our school's president has assured his safety by Dillard University armed police, against us, the Dillard University student body."
— Justin Campbell (@jcampbellnews) November 3, 2016
Duke railed against the demonstrators, commenting, "There was a demo out here, by the Black Lives Matter radicals. Why is that? Because I stand up for you. The Black Lives Matter movement calls for the murder of police officers and death to police. I defend you and our country from these radicals who are destroying America."
