David Duke is an American white supremacist and former politician known for his controversial views on race and ethnicity. He gained national attention in the 1970s as a leader of the Ku Klux Klan, promoting a platform of white nationalism and anti-Semitism. Duke has run for various political offices, including the Louisiana State Legislature and the U.S. Senate, but has not been successful in winning significant positions. Duke has authored several books and has been involved in various media appearances, often discussing his beliefs and ideologies. His views have been widely criticized and condemned by civil rights organizations, including the Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors hate groups in the United States.