
Donald Trump's response to violence at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia has attracted widespread criticism.
At the weekend thousands of far-right protestors congregated in the city for a controversial march dubbed "Unite the Right."
They were met by counter-protestors who tried to prevent the rally from progressing through the city, with violence eventually breaking out between the opposing groups.
A 32-year-old woman who was a part of the anti-fascist protest died after a car rammed into a crowd of people, injuring 19 other people. The car was driven by a suspected white supremacist.
The incident has been widely condemned by many American politicians but although President Trump condemned the violence, which he apportioned "on many sides", he ignored accusations that far-right groups were in favour of him and his policies.
Pres. Trump ignores shouted question after remarks on Charlottesville: "Do you want the support of these white nati… https://t.co/fHe6E9uljt— ABC News (@ABC News) 1502569475
This came after the President had failed to specifically criticise white supremacists, instead choosing to blame "many sides" in the conflict.
Pres. Trump says he condemns "egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides" in Charlottesville.… https://t.co/UxtP6MgItb— ABC News (@ABC News) 1502568265
His ignorance of the question posed by the reporters was lambasted on social media, with many people believing that he is complicit in provoking the weekend's violence.
His silence speaks volumes. I gave him a chance. I'm done. https://t.co/UzGkqmEwQA— Justin (@Justin) 1502650293
During his Presidential campaign, Trump used terms and phrases to condemn Muslims and immigrants that would potentially appeal to far-right groups.
On Saturday former Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, David Duke was filmed in Charlottesville saying that the rally aims to "fulfil the promises of Donald Trump."
Trump's former communications director Anthony Scaramucci criticised the President and the statement, for not attacking the white nationalists.
He told ABC News:
I wouldn't have recommended that statement.
I think he would have need to have been much harsher.
That sentiment was echoed by many of Trump's fellow Republicans.
White supremacists, Neo-Nazis and anti-Semites are the antithesis of our American values. There are no other "sides" to hatred and bigotry.— Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (@Ileana Ros-Lehtinen) 1502571584