WASHINGTON — Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., doubled down on his belief that a white nationalist is simply "an American," taking issue with a CNN host's assertion that all white nationalists are, by definition, racist.
Tuberville made the comments in an interview on CNN's "The Source" with host Kaitlan Collins when he was asked to clarify remarks he made in a radio interview in May, when he appeared to defend white nationalists by suggesting they should not be barred from serving in the military.
"First of all, I'm totally against any type of racist," Tuberville said Monday, adding he was a football coach for 40 years and was around many people of color during that time.
He accused Democratic lawmakers of engaging in "identity politics" by using the term "white nationalist" as "just another word that they want to use other than 'racism.'"
Collins, however, pressed Tuberville again about whether he believes white nationalists should be able to serve in the U.S. military.
"If people think that a white nationalist is racist, I agree with that," Tuberville said.
"A white nationalist is someone who believes that the white race is superior to other races," Collins replied.
Tuberville took issue with her definition, saying it was just "some people's opinion."
"My opinion of a white nationalist — if somebody wants to call them a white nationalist — to me is an American. It's an American," he said. "Now, if that white nationalist is a racist, I’m totally against anything that they want to do, because I am 110% against racism."
Tuberville then said, "If you’re going to do away with most white people in this country out of the military, we got huge problems."
Collins said people weren't advocating getting rid of "people who are white," simply white nationalists. Tuberville responded that they were people "that have a few, probably different beliefs."
"Now, if racism is one of those beliefs, I'm totally against it," he added. "I am totally against racism."
Collins again said a white nationalist is racist.
"Well, that's your opinion. That's your opinion," he said. "If it's racism, I'm totally against it."
Speaking to reporters Tuesday morning on Capitol Hill, Tuberville was again asked to clarify his comments.
"I’m totally against racism," he said. "If the Democrats say that a white nationalist, in which they said, well, that’s the definition, then I’m totally against white nationalists. ... Everybody’s got a different — but I’m not getting into definitions — but I am totally against any form of racism, always have been."
Asked whether people are haggling over definitions, Tuberville said, "There’s nobody less racist in this building than me."
Tuberville's comments drew a rebuke from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who said on the Senate floor that they were “deeply disturbing” and called on Tuberville to apologize. He also pressed his Republican colleagues to explain to Tuberville the "destructive impact of his words."
"For the senator from Alabama to obscure the racist nature of white nationalism is indeed very, very dangerous," Schumer said. "His words have power and carry weight with the fringe of his constituency, just the fringe. But if that fringe listens to him excuse and defend white nationalism, he’s fanning the flames of bigotry and intolerance."
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., did not refer to Tuberville directly when a reporter asked him Tuesday about Tuberville's comments, saying simply: "White supremacy is simply unacceptable in the military and in our whole country."
