In recent news, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz was seen at court supporting Donald Trump during his hush money trial, using language that was adopted by the far-right Proud Boys extremist group. The Proud Boys have been known to use the phrase “Stand back and stand by” since Trump’s comments during a 2020 campaign debate. Trump’s failure to condemn white supremacist and militia groups during the debate led to criticism, and his subsequent statement calling for them to stand down also caught their attention, leading to an increase in Proud Boys membership.
Following Trump’s initial comments, Proud Boys leaders and supporters celebrated on social media, with a large number of members posting the phrases “Stand Back” and “Stand By” alongside the group’s logo on messaging platforms like Telegram. Some members of the Proud Boys, including Jeremy Joseph Bertino, have been involved in plotting violent actions to disrupt the transfer of presidential power after the 2020 election. Despite this, members of the group have been seen wearing their insignia at Trump rallies across the country in support of the former president.
Trump, who has made the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol a central theme of his campaign, has vowed to pardon the rioters and has even played recorded messages of prisoners involved in the attack singing the national anthem at his rallies. Gaetz, along with other conservative lawmakers, showed up at the court to support Trump during his trial, which revolves around allegations of secret payments made to a porn actress to suppress negative stories during his 2016 presidential campaign. When asked about his use of language associated with the Proud Boys, Gaetz’s spokesman said that the tweet speaks for itself.
This incident highlights the presence of activist elements among Trump’s supporters as he seeks a return to the White House. The close ties between Trump and groups like the Proud Boys raise questions about the former president’s stance on extremism and his relationship with far-right organizations. With Trump continuing to rally his base around the events of January 6, it is clear that his rhetoric and actions are resonating with certain segments of the population, including those who are willing to use violence to further their political goals. As the trial continues and more details emerge, it will be important to consider the broader implications of Trump’s connections to groups like the Proud Boys.
