Montel Williams Blasts Donald Trump: 'A Racist Is as a Racist Does'

Williams joined this week's episode of "Powerhouse Politics" podcast.

ByABC News
August 25, 2016, 8:42 PM
Montel Williams attends the Raising the Stakes Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament benefiting the One Step Closer Foundation at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, June 17, 2016, in Las Vegas.
Montel Williams attends the Raising the Stakes Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament benefiting the One Step Closer Foundation at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, June 17, 2016, in Las Vegas.
Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images

— -- Television personality Montel Williams calls it like he sees it, and the 2016 presidential election is no exception.

“A racist is as a racist does,” said Williams of Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump. “This racist has done enough to prove who is he truly is.”

On this week’s episode of “Powerhouse Politics” podcast with ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl and ABC News Political Director Rick Klein, Williams accused Trump of delivering a “false invitation” to African-American voters.

“This false invitation for African-American representation in the Trump campaign has been equal to the false invitation for African-American participation, minority participation, in the Republican Party for the last 20 years,” explained Williams.

When asked why he believes Trump's direct appeal to the African-American community is false, Williams replied, “Are you kidding me? Seriously, do you really believe that?”

He continued: “It’s like, David Duke right now saying, ‘Hey, I want to get these black people, come on in my house. Forget everything I’ve said in the past.’

“It really has done more to make sure that the primary people he was speaking in front of would be less apt to say, ‘Oh, he is a racist,’” he added. “You cannot go back and now retract your statements and your past to try to say that you’re not what you have been.”

Williams also cast doubt on Trump’s ability to lead the country, explaining that he is a direct threat to the United States “without any question.”

“He’s shown the fact that he does not have the capacity to even understand international politics,” Williams said. “He’s shown a clear direction in his thinking that it’s OK to commit war crimes.”

That is why Williams, a longtime conservative, will be voting for Hillary Clinton in November -- although he does not agree with all of Clinton’s actions, including her handling of sensitive information as secretary of state, which he calls an “abomination.”

But he just can’t pull the lever for Trump.

“I think [Trump] has done it to himself. I just cannot vote for him,” said Williams.

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