On Tuesday, President Trump clarified his thoughts on white nationalist protesters, stating that “you also had some very fine people on both sides” of the violence in Charlottesville. Very fine people like former KKK Grand Dragon David Duke thanked him for his support. Mr. Trump also compared Robert E. Lee with George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
Political leaders and commentators were quick to express their appreciation:
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL): “Your comments give white supremacists ‘a win.'”
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY): “there are no good neo-Nazis.”
Rep. Paul Ryan (R, WI-1): “White supremacy is repulsive. This bigotry is counter to all this country stands for. There can be no moral ambiguity.”
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA): “It’s wrong. Why can’t he just say that?”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK): “What the president said yesterday was wrong. There is no moral equivalence between those who are inciting hate and division and those who took to the streets to make it clear that those views are unacceptable. Every one of us must stand against hatred, bigotry, and violence, in both our words and our actions.”
Rep. Leonard Lance (R, NJ-7): “Mr. President, there is only one side: AGAINST white supremacists, neo-Nazis, anti-Semites & the KKK. They have no place in America or GOP.”
Admiral John Richardson: “The shameful events in Charlottesville are unacceptable and must not be tolerated.”
Rep. Steve Scalise (R, LA-1): “We must defeat white supremacy”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC): “…you are now receiving praise from some of the most racist and hate-filled individuals and groups in our country.”
Rep. Paul Mitchell (R, MI-10): “You can’t be a “very fine person” and be a white supremacist”
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK): “Anything less than complete & unambiguous condemnation of white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and the KKK by the @POTUS is unacceptable. Period.”
Rep. Charlie Dent (R, MI-15): “POTUS must stop the moral equivalency! AGAIN, white supremacists were to blame for the violence in Charlottesville”
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