Former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke praised the founder of WikiLeaks for Donald Trump winning the 2016 presidential election early Wednesday morning. Duke, who lost his congressional bid in Louisiana, took to Twitter to express his pleasure over the Republican’s victory against Hillary Clinton.

He credited the organization run by Julian Assange for publishing hacked emails linked to the Democratic nominee's campaign.

“GOD BLESS WIKILEAKS - Julian Assange is a hero -> America owes this man one thing -> FREEDOM!!! Thank you, sir - THANK YOU! #WIKILEAKS,” he wrote. The hacked emails from Clinton aides and staffers exposed private details and situations. The emails touched on topics ranging from how Clinton's campaign appeared to pressure Bernie Sanders to how the Clinton Foundation funded Chelsea Clinton's wedding to the Democratic National Committee being accused of providing Clinton with debate questions in advance.

Duke, who previously said he wanted to be Trump's vice presidential candidate and championed a Trump comparison to Nazi leader Adolph Hitler, founded the Ku Klux Klan Knights in 1974.

“This is one of the most exciting nights of my life -> make no mistake about it, our people have played a HUGE role in electing Trump!” Duke tweeted Tuesday night.

In his tweets Tuesday night, Duke also criticized Clinton for not making her concession speech following the results of the election. “Hillary exposed who and what she truly was tonight -> a coward who couldn't even face the nation and acknowledge her loss! #LOCKHERUP! #MAGA,” he wrote.

Despite Duke’s support for Trump, the president-elect has tried to distance himself from the former KKK member. While on a radio show Trump’s son Eric made it clear that his father did not want to be associated with Duke. “The guy does deserve a bullet. These aren't good people. These are horrible people,” Eric Trump said.

Last week, Duke garnered attention when he appeared at the historically black institution Dillard University in New Orleans for Louisiana’s final senate debate. His presence upset several students who protested outside of the debate because they were not allowed to enter. Police were on the scene attempting to control the crowd and at times used force and pepper spray in an effort to get protestors to leave.

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Election 2016 Hillary Clinton Julian Assange Wikileaks