A longtime Ku Klux Klan leader says interest in the white nationalist movement is increasing ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Thomas Robb, who leads the organization formerly known as the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, made the claim during an interview with Al Jazeera correspondent Phil Lavell e in Boone County, Arkansas. The group now uses the name Knights Party and has tried to present itself publicly through messages about Christianity and family. KKK leader says support for the group is growing ahead of the 2026 midterms elections. (Photo: YouTube screenshot/ Al Jazeera English) Despite that rebranding effort, Robb made clear that the organization continues to exclude Black people. When Lavelle asked whether a Black person could attend the group’s church, Robb answered, “No,” before describing it as a “white nationalist church.” As reported by Al Jazeera, Robb has led the Klan faction since 1989, when he took over the organization founded in the 1970s by former Klan leader David Duke. ‘Pure Evil’: Viral Photo of Black Woman Surrounded by Masked White Men on Train Stuns Internet, Revives Memories of KKK Terror Rodney Hinton Trial: Family Feared Leaving Him Alone After He Watched Police Kill His Son — Hours Later, Prosecutors Say He Killed a Deputy Over the years, he has made changes intended to give the group a less overtly violent public image despite its long-documented history of cross burning, lynchings, and acts of violence.  He stopped using the title “grand wizard” and instead adopted “national director.” He also permitted people to join without publicly identifying themselves and has attempted to separate the organization from the Klan’s history of violence in its public messaging. His comments to Lavelle, however, continued to reflect the group’s white supremacist beliefs. Asked about Muslim politicians Zohran Mamdani and Abdul El-Sayed, Robb questioned whether either man should be considered American. When Lavelle noted that El-Sayed was born in Michigan, Robb dismissed the point. “I don’t care where he’s born. He’s not American,” Robb said. Robb went on to argue that the children of white immigrants could become American because of their race, while denying the same status to children of nonwhite immigrants. The Knights Party represents only one segment of the broader white supremacist movement in the United States. The Southern Poverty Law Center estimates that at least 152 white supremacist organizations currently operate across the country, according to the report. Robb attributed what he views as increased interest in white nationalism to political and cultural changes that began before President Donald Trump returned to office. He specifically pointed to Barack Obama’s 2008 election as a turning point. “People are beginning to stir and being angered by what they see happening to the country,” Robb said. “So, we’re kind of a voice for that.” Still, Robb acknowledged that publicly joining a group associated with the Klan remains a hurdle for potential supporters. He declined to provide membership numbers when Lavelle asked how many people belong to the organization. He also conceded that his claim of growing support may not be accurate. “Maybe we’re wrong. Maybe everybody hates us. I don’t know,” Robb said. Recent data suggests that some beliefs associated with white nationalist ideology have gained broader acceptance, even though this does not establish support for the Klan itself. The Public Religion Research Institute surveyed more than 20,000 U.S. adults in 2025 about the belief that immigrants are replacing the country’s existing cultural and ethnic makeup. The statement reflects the alleged “great replacement theory,” a conspiracy theory centered on the false claim that immigrants, Jews, and nonwhite people are deliberately replacing white populations. The survey found that 32 percent of respondents agreed with the statement. The findings offer broader context for Robb’s claim. The group’s attempt to reshape its public presentation comes as the United States heads toward the 2026 midterm elections, putting renewed attention on the reach of white supremacist organizations and the harmful beliefs they promote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Al Jazeera English (@aljazeeraenglish) ‘We’re Kind of a Voice’: KKK Leader Claims White Nationalist Movement Is Growing Ahead of 2026 Midterms, But Says Black People Still Aren’t Welcome ...read more read less