Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Catch up on the day's biggest business stories
Subscribe to Axios Closer for insights into the day’s business news and trends and why they matter
Stay on top of the latest market trends
Subscribe to Axios Markets for the latest market trends and economic insights. Sign up for free.
Sports news worthy of your time
Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Sign up for free.
Tech news worthy of your time
Get our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.
Get the inside stories
Get an insider's guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Want a daily digest of the top Denver news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Want a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Want a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Want a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Want a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images
President Trump's advisers feel the president needs to outright condemn far-right extremists and white supremacy during his rally tonight in Minnesota.
Why it matters: Trump sent shockwaves during the debate for telling the far-right Proud Boys to "stand back and stand by."
- The group is described by the Anti-Defamation League as "misogynistic, Islamophobic, transphobic and anti-immigration."
- Many congressional Republicans pressed Trump to correct the record today, including Tim Scott, the Senate's lone Black Republican.
- The Trump campaign's view is that he was ambushed by the question and that the president doesn't even know who the Proud Boys are.
- "We're aggressively pushing back on the narrative," one official told Axios.
Before boarding Marine One this afternoon, Trump told reporters he doesn't know the group, but they should stand down and let law enforcement do its work.
- One Trump aide said this is a start, but that the general consensus among those close to the president is that he still needs to outright condemn far-right extremists.
Trump’s advisers are also planning to encourage the president to interrupt Joe Biden less in the next two debates.
- Some Trump aides are privately frustrated with Chris Christie, who called Trump "a little too hot" on the stage after helping him with debate prep.
- "It was a widely shared consensus," including from Christie, that Trump should be aggressive and go after Biden, one campaign official told Axios.
The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
What's next: Changes are coming to the debates, with an announcement to come shortly.
- The Commission on President Debates said it needs "additional structure" before the remaining rounds to avoid last night's unwatchable mess.