The head of a white supremacist group cited by the alleged killer of nine people at a black South Carolina church last week has given thousands of dollars to several 2016 Republican presidential candidates, according to media reports.

Earl Holt III of Texas, leader of the Council of Conservative Citizens, has donated a total of $65,000 to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, among other politicians in recent years, Britain's The Guardian newspaper reported late on Sunday.

The New York Times also reported the donations on Monday.