WATCH: Ramaswamy Defends Calling Ayanna Pressley A Modern KKK Grand Wizard

During the GOP presidential debate, Vivek Ramaswamy called Ayanna Pressley “a modern KKK grand wizard.”

This comment has stirred the hornet’s nest, mainly because Ayanna Pressley is a black woman.

In a recent interview with CNN, Ramaswamy defended his statement and doubled down.

Watch the video below:

DANA BASH & FAST TALKING VIVEK RAMASWAMY WRANGLE OVER HIS COMMENTS CALLING AYANNA PRESSLEY (D-MA-BLACK) A MODERN KKK GRANDE WIZARD ###pic.twitter.com/IjpZHLY6G5

— iBankCoin, A Reliable Source (@iBankCoin4tw) August 27, 2023

The Washington Examiner has more on the story:

“You know, I’m sure, the KKK was responsible for more than a century worth of horrific lynchings, rapes, murders of black people. How in any way are the views you’re talking about comparable to the views and atrocities committed by the KKK?” Bash asked.

“I think it is the same spirit to say that I can look at you and, based on just your skin color, that I know something about the content of your character, that I know something about the content of the viewpoints that you’re allowed to express,” Ramaswamy responded. “For Ayanna Pressley to tell me that because of my skin color, I can’t express my views, that is wrong, that is divisive. It is driving hate in this country. This is dividing our country to a breaking point.”

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“Let’s be intellectually honest and get to the heart of what this debate ought to be about,” Ramaswamy said. “There is a world view that says that the remedy to past discrimination and present discrimination. That if you’re black or brown, you have to have a particular point of view. That’s from Ibram X Kendi and Ayanna Pressley, the people I quoted in my speech.”

In the following back-and-forth, Ramaswamy stood by his comment, while Bash claimed that the comments weren’t conducive to an “open and honest discussion.” The CNN host asked if he believed the comment “crossed a line,” to which Ramaswamy said no.

I’m not a fan of Ramswamy.

A lot of his campaign rides on him saying inflammatory things.

He often contradicted himself and seemingly said provocative things just to say it.

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨 CNN goes into a total meltdown as Ramaswamy compares a 'Squad' member to the "grand wizards of the modern KKK". Find out why this shocking comparison has sparked outrage. 😱🔥 Read more here: https://t.co/aCMgaqG7bv Don't miss this explosive story! 💥🗞️

— Patriot911 (@Patriot911News) August 27, 2023

This guy is more of an ahole with each passing day….https://t.co/R1GZUzJjWZ

— Fred Tee (@TencicFred) August 26, 2023

Despite garnering a lot of backlash for his comments.

Ramaswamy was a favorite during the GOP debate.

More from the New York Post:

Rep. Ayanna Pressley clarified her 2019 remarks, saying that she was ‘speaking to the collective impact of lifting up one’s lived experience.’AFP via Getty Images

The 38-year-old biotech entrepreneur stood by his comments, countering that there is a mindset among some politicos “that if you’re black or brown, you have to have a particular point of view.”

“We all agree that the KKK was an awful organization that has a toxic stain in our national history. So given that we can start from that point of agreement, now that allows us to say, who actually sounds more like that organization today?” he continued. “The people who are calling for more racial discrimination on the basis of skin color.”

Earlier in the interview, Bash asked Ramaswamy about the Saturday shooting in Jacksonville, Fla., where a white gunman gunned down three black individuals at a Dollar General store before killing himself.

Pressley is a member of the progressive so-called ‘Squad’ in the House.Getty Images

Law enforcement described the deadly rampage as racially motivated.

“It is such a tragedy and my heart goes out to those families. This should not be happening in the United States of America and it is wrong,” Ramaswamy said.

“We need to have to have the courage in this country to bring back a practice of putting back psychiatrically ill people who pose a risk to their communities into psychiatric institutions.”

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CNN triggered after Ramaswamy likens 'Squad' member to 'grand wizards of the modern KKK' https://t.co/SbUq17Bf32 via @americanwire_

— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) August 27, 2023

Regardless of where you stand on this issue.

Ramaswamy is embarrassing himself.

Like all of the other GOP candidates who think they even have a chance at winning the primary.

I believe Ramaswamy is trying to garner attention only as a chance to become President Trump’s vice president.