Donald Trump claims 'both sides' were at fault for the violence during the Charlottesville unrest on Saturday that left one counter-protester dead.
- Aug 16, 2017
AceShowbiz - President Donald Trump just showed his true stance in Charlottesville riots. After name-calling the KKK, neo-Nazis and white supremacists in a prepared statement on Monday, August 14, he defended his initial response to the Saturday riots in Charlottesville, Virginia, that blamed the violence "on many sides." He had been criticized for failing to call hate groups out by name.
On Monday, two days after the riots, he said in prepared remarks, "Racism is evil, and those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans. We are a nation founded on the truth that all of us are created equal. We are equal in the eyes of our creator, we are equal under the law, and we are equal under our Constitution. Those who spread violence in the name of bigotry strike at the very core of America."
But on Tuesday, the President reverted to his earlier statement. During a press conference, he was asked about the so-called "alt-right" and its responsibility for the Charlottesville violence. He wondered, "What about the alt-left that came charging at the - as you say - the alt-right? Do they have any semblance of guilt? What about the fact that they came charging with clubs in their hands, swinging clubs? Do they have any problem? I think they do."
"I watched this very closely, much more closely than you people watched it," he added, "and you had a group on one side that was bad, and you had a group on the other side that was also very violent. Nobody wants to say that. But I'll say it right now. You had a group on the other side that came charging in without a permit and they were very, very violent."
Asked if he felt what he called "the alt-left" is the same as "neo Nazis," he said not all of the protesters "were white supremacists, by any stretch."
"Those people were also there because they wanted to protest the taking down of a statue of Robert E. Lee," he continued. "So, this week it's Robert E. Lee. I noticed that Stonewall Jackson is coming down. I wonder is it George Washington next week and is it Thomas Jefferson the week after? You know, you really do have to ask yourself where does it stop? But they were there to protest, excuse me, you take a look the night before, they were there to protest the taking down of the statue of the Robert E. Lee. Infrastructure question. Go ahead."
His latest remark, of course, doesn't sit well with many people. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe said in a statement, "Neo-Nazis, Klansmen and white supremacists came to Charlottesville heavily armed, spewing hatred and looking for a fight. One of them murdered a young woman in an act of domestic terrorism, and two of our finest officers were killed in a tragic accident while serving to protect this community. This was not 'both sides.' " He urged the President to show "real leadership."
Below is Governor McAuliffe's statement on @realDonaldTrump press conference on Charlottesville this afternoon: pic.twitter.com/f73CBpwfF3
— Terry McAuliffe (@GovernorVA) August 15, 2017
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine said on Twitter that the Charlottesville violence "was fuelled by one side: white supremacists spreading racism, intolerance & intimidation. Those are the facts." Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii denounced Trump as his president. "As a Jew, as an American, as a human, words cannot express my disgust and disappointment. This is not my President," he tweeted.
Independent senator Bernie Sanders added, "@realDonaldTrump, you are embarrassing our country and the millions of Americans who fought and died to defeat Nazism." Speaker of the House Paul Ryan wrote, "We must be clear. White supremacy is repulsive. This bigotry is counter to all this country stands for. There can be no moral ambiguity."
We must be clear. White supremacy is repulsive. This bigotry is counter to all this country stands for. There can be no moral ambiguity.
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) August 15, 2017
Some celebrities even suggested that Trump himself is a racist for blaming both sides in the riots. Chrissy Teigen wrote, "Trump is like, actually racist. He isn't 'saying the wrong thing'. He is actually racist and means this. Holy s**t lol what a f**king idiot."
Trump is like, actually racist. He isn't "saying the wrong thing". He is actually racist and means this. Holy shit lol what a fucking idiot
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) August 15, 2017
Jon Favreau similarly wrote, "The President of the United States just made it clear, in case anyone was still unsure, that he is in fact a racist."
The President of the United States just made it clear, in case anyone was still unsure, that he is in fact a racist.
— Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) August 15, 2017
Lady GaGa tweeted, "Do you think @realDonaldTrump @POTUS saying "both sides are to blame" in #Charlottesville makes him a racist supporter? Yes or no?"
Do you think @realDonaldTrump @POTUS saying "both sides are to blame" in #Charlottesville makes him a racist supporter? Yes or no?
— xoxo, Gaga (@ladygaga) August 15, 2017
Patton Oswalt expressed his shock in expletive tweet, "What...the...F**K is happening in our country? Our president just...sided...with...Nazis and white nationalists. Holy. F**K."
What...the...FUCK is happening in our country? Our president just...sided...with...Nazis and white nationalists. Holy. FUCK https://t.co/YJzAQBUJgp
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) August 15, 2017
Ava DuVernay added, "I feel like... I don't know what I feel anymore. Shock. Been there. Disgust. Done that. Rage. Ongoing. This is bizarre and revolting."
I feel like... I don't know what I feel anymore. Shock. Been there. Disgust. Done that. Rage. Ongoing. This is bizarre and revolting. https://t.co/M5NPikKHSf
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 15, 2017
J.K. Rowling chimed in, "One good thing about that abomination of a speech: it's now impossible for any Trump supporter to pretend they don't know what he is."
One good thing about that abomination of a speech: it's now impossible for any Trump supporter to pretend they don't know what he is.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 15, 2017
