Biden says Trump's 'stand by' comment to Proud Boys was 'clarion call' for white supremacists

Former vice president accuses president of ‘dog whistle’ messages to racists

Joe Biden has branded Donald Trump’s “stand by” Proud Boys comments a “clarion call” for white supremacists.

The Democratic presidential nominee took aim at the president’s “Stand back and stand by” debate remarks during a live town hall event on NBC on Monday evening.

Mr Biden was asked by an undecided Black voter how he would deal with extremists and white supremacists if elected.

The former vice president said the FBI knows that white supremacists were the biggest terror threat to the US and he attacked Mr Trump for repeatedly refusing to condemn them.

“It was a clarion call to get ready, to get ready. It was totally inappropriate," said Mr Biden.

Mr Trump later backtracked and said he did not know who the Proud Boys were. Several days after the debate, he did condemn them in an interview on Fox News.

Earlier in the town hall Mr Biden called the first presidential debate with Mr Trump “embarrassing to the nation.”

“I did not want to further demean the debate by getting into a shouting match with him,” said Mr Biden.

“I hope that in our next meeting coming up we will at least have the opportunity to listen to the question and answer it directly.

“He did not want to answer the questions or talk about substance. It was all personal.

“I was trying to figure out how I could possibly have him respect the  debate, respect the evening, respect the moderator, and get us an opportunity to speak.”

Mr Biden also called on “Generation Z” and younger supporters to turn out and vote for him.

“You’re the best educated, you’re the most open, you’re the least prejudiced generation in American history,” he said.

“The future is yours and I’m counting on you.”