The Proud Boys – a far-right group known for attacking left-wing protesters in street brawls – are celebrating after Donald Trump last night told them to “stand back and stand by” during the first presidential debate.
Asked repeatedly to condemn white supremacists by Fox News moderator Chris Wallace, the US president blustered before saying instead: “Proud Boys, stand back and stand by. But I’ll tell you what, somebody’s got to do something about Antifa and the left."
Antifa is an anti-fascist, left-wing political movement.
Moments later, jubilant messages erupted across Proud Boys’ social media channels as members of the group celebrated the president’s remarks, in some cases taking it as an endorsement for their violent tactics.
Prominent Proud Boy leader Enrique Tarrio replied on Twitter “Standing by, Sir” while another member wrote: “President Trump told the proud boys to stand by because someone needs to deal with Antifa ... well sir! We’re ready!!”
Joe Biggs, another prominent Proud Boys supporter on social media who organised recent anti-Antifa protests in Portland posted, “This makes me so happy.”
The post was viewed 12,000 times in two hours and spread across mainstream platforms. Mr Biggs soon followed-up the post with a logo adopting the president’s debate-night statement as a Proud Boys slogan. It was viewed just over 9,000 times in an hour on Parler.
Commentators criticised the president’s refusal clearly condemn white supremacists and accused him of fomenting violence even as the Trump campaign tweeted clips of him previously condemning racism and the Ku Klux Klan.
“Proud Boys in social media groups are going wild about the ‘Stand back and stand by’ comment. They are basically seeing it as acknowledgement and a call to arms,” NBC reporter Ezra Kaplan said.
The group, which describes itself as "a pro-western fraternal organisation for men," was created by the Vice magazine co-founder Gavin McInnes in 2016 in the run-up to Donald Trump's election.
In contrast to the president’s assertion on Tuesday night that left-wing groups were a bigger problem than right-wing groups, Mr Trump’s nominee to lead the agency in charge of curbing domestic terrorism, Chad Wolf, told senators this month that White supremacists have become the “most persistent and lethal threat” to the US from within the country.
Asked about Mr Trump's reference to the Proud Boys on Tuesday, Jason Miller, a senior adviser to the president's campaign, appeared to backtrack, saying it was "very clear he wants them to knock it off," the New York Times reported. In an interview with Fox News, the Trump campaign said the president has repeatedly "denounced white supremacists" over the years.
The Proud Boys have a history of endorsing violence and is classified by the Southern Poverty Law Centre civil rights organisation as a hate group. The Anti-Defamation League said its membership includes “hard-core white supremacists” with a misogynistic, Islamophobic and anti-immigrant ideology.
Two members were sentenced to prison in 2019 for assaulting left-wing protesters after an event in New York City, and in 2018, Twitter and Facebook suspended Proud Boys from their platforms, citing policies against hate speech and organisations that promote it.
Earlier this week, fashion brand Fred Perry withdrew one of its polo shirt designs after it was adopted by the group, saying it was “incredibly frustrating” to see its logo associated with the neo-fascist organisation.
At a rally in Portland, Oregon, organised by the group on Saturday, several hundred people, some carrying firearms and wearing military-style body armour, gathered to support Mr Trump and his “law and order” re-election campaign before the debate.
A speaker at the event urged supporters to run for all local offices possible and “infiltrate all agencies” while others wielded baseball bats and chased left-wing protesters away.
With another Proud Boys rally planned in Portland this week, Governor Kate Brown has declared a state of emergency in anticipation of widespread violence.
“Let’s be clear: The Proud Boys are white supremacists. Racism and hate are not forms of patriotism. The power is yours. Vote,” she wrote in a tweet on Wednesday.
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
RESULTS
2.15pm: Al Marwan Group Holding – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: SS Jalmod, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
2.45pm: Sharjah Equine Hospital – Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Ghallieah, Sebastien Martino, Jean-Claude Pecout
3.15pm: Al Marwan Group Holding – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Inthar, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi
3.45pm: Al Ain Stud Emirates Breeders Trophy – Conditions (PA) Dh50,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: MH Rahal, Richard Mullen, Elise Jeanne
4.25pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup – Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: JAP Aneed, Ray Dawson, Irfan Ellahi
4.45pm: Sharjah Equine Hospital – Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Edaraat, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Company%20profile
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