The hate group formerly known as the Ku Klux Klan is attempting to rebrand itself as the 'Knights Party' in an effort to expand its membership. Experts have noted a resurgence in white supremacy in the United States, influenced by political figures including former President Donald Trump.
In 2025, the Public Religion Research Institute conducted a survey of over 20,000 US adults regarding the statement, 'Immigrants are invading our country and replacing our cultural and ethnic background.' The survey revealed that 32 percent of respondents agreed with this statement, which is associated with the great replacement theory, a conspiracy theory alleging that immigrants and nonwhite groups aim to displace white populations in Western countries.
Critics have accused right-wing leaders, including Trump, of normalizing such views through rhetoric that characterizes immigration as an 'invasion.' Trump has faced backlash for his associations with white nationalists, including a 2022 dinner with Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes and comments made after the 2017 Charlottesville protests, where he stated there were 'fine people on both sides.'
Al Jazeera correspondent Phil Lavelle visited Boone County, Arkansas, to investigate the influence of the Knights Party during Trump's second term. He interviewed Thomas Robb, the leader of the group, which was originally founded as the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s by David Duke.
Robb indicated that the group is attempting to reframe its message around family and faith. However, when asked if a Black person would be welcome in the group's church, Robb stated, 'No, because this is a white nationalist church.'
The KKK has a historical legacy of racism and violence in the US, originating in 1865 as a reaction to civil rights advancements for Black individuals and other minority groups. The Southern Poverty Law Center estimates that there are currently at least 152 active white supremacy organizations in the US, reflecting a trend of increasing activity over the past decade.
Robb, who has led the group since 1989, has made attempts to broaden its appeal by changing his title from 'grand wizard' to 'national director' and allowing new members to join confidentially by mail. Despite these efforts, he maintains the group's racist ideology.
In response to questions about politicians like Zohran Mamdani and Abdul El-Sayed, Robb claimed, 'Well, first off, they’re not Americans,' dismissing El-Sayed's Michigan birthplace. He further asserted that only the children of white immigrants can be considered American.
Robb noted that the rise in white nationalist sentiment began before Trump's presidency, citing the election of Barack Obama in 2008 as a catalyst. He stated, 'People are beginning to stir and being angered by what they see happening to the country.'
Despite his claims of growing support for the movement, Robb admitted that potential members may be hesitant to join, stating, 'As for people actually to become members, that’s kind of a line they’re a little hesitant to cross sometimes.' He declined to provide specific membership numbers or evidence of growth in support for his group, acknowledging uncertainty about their popularity: 'Maybe we’re wrong. Maybe everybody hates us. I don’t know.'