Reactions to Trump’s statement on violence in Virginia
President Donald Trump blamed “many sides” for violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, in the wake of a white nationalist demonstration, drawing swift reactions.
Democrats and some Republicans called on him to specifically denounce white supremacy and racially motivated hate by name. Vice-President Mike Pence supported the president’s speech. A white supremacist website praised the comments.
What Trump said:
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides, on many sides,” Trump said. “It’s been going on for a long time in our country. Not Donald Trump. Not Barack Obama. It’s been going on for a long, long time.”