Mark Burns (televangelist)

"In reference to dealing with black issues and dealing with issues that plague those minority communities, Donald Trump doesnt have a racist bone in his body. I know what real racism is. And Donald Trump is so far from it. Talking to him and his wonderful wife and his children is like hanging out with some friends of mine that are black … Hes just that kind of a person. He is not uneasy around you. Hes very relaxed...When Donald Trump talks about the blacks hes talking about the blacks, the group as a whole. Hes talking about the groups...No, it doesnt bother me, because I know Donald Trump. I know who he is. I know he is not at all speaking in any derogatory sense at all. Hes simply talking to that ethnic group, the blacks or the whites...Even with a sitting black President, the racial tension in this country is at an all-time high. And I believe its led by the Democratic party and led by President Barack Obama, and obviously Secretary Clinton desires to continue that torch, which I believe will lead us more and more into economic destruction, especially for minorities in this country...I have not experienced racist tension from Donald Trump. Im from the South. Literally right over the next county, there are active KKK groups that parade their rebel flag on a daily basis...This is in 2016. Right now, today, with a sitting black President. So I know what real racism looks like. And it is not Donald Trump...Does he want it (ex-KKK leaders endorsement)? He said, No, I dont want it, I dont accept it. … He doesnt stand for any hate groups, whether it be a Christian hate group or an Islam hate group. Hes already stated this. Mr. Trump has already stated that there was a technical issue in the earpiece.Im in television; I own a TV studio. I do know how technical issues can cause you to miss out on what someone is saying."

"Even though I disagree with the tactics and the divisive rhetoric of the movement, I do understand that hopelessness and lack of opportunity breeds this type of desperation. And this is true in many of our nation’s ghettos and underprivileged communities, much of the protests in urban city centers are born out of this kind of desperation. But the thing is — the way that we can solve the problem and to eliminate this kind of a desperation is to create good jobs, urban economic revitalization, and opportunities for job training and long-term solutions. That will solve the problem in our troubled cities around this country. And I want to make a loud cry that we as Republicans — we are declaring right now today, that we are determined more than ever to listen to the cries of the disenfranchised, the low-income, the at-risk communities. We are more than ever – we will solve the problems together!"