Responding to the media’s criticism of his response to the Charlottesville Disaster, President lashed out on social media, labeling the “fake news media” as “truly bad people.”
Trump advised the public, “Realize once again that the #Fake News Media will never be satisfied,” with the response to Charlottesville. Indeed, it seems that no matter what Trump decided to do, or how specifically he called out violent groups, the media’s agenda was to divide America – not to heal and bring unity.
Mike Huckabee also came to Trump’s defense on Fox News, saying, “If Donald Trump has suddenly jumped on Marine One … down to Charlottesville, walked into the jail where the young man was being held, shot him between the eyes, I guarantee you people said he didn’t use the right caliber bullet.”
While the President initially blamed “many sides” for what had happened in Charlottesville and stated on Saturday, “We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides — on many sides,” in a press conference, this response left critics and some supporters dissatisfied.
President Trump was also attacked by a member of his own American Manufacturing Council, for his alleged failure to universally condemn hatred and violence. Kenneth Frazier, CEO of Merck, and member of Trump’s American Manufacturing Council, resigned in protest over the events in Charlottesville.
In his resignation, Frazier noted that, “Our country’s strength stems from its diversity and the contributions made by men and women of different faiths, races, sexual orientations and political beliefs.”
“America’s leaders must honor our fundamental values by clearly rejecting expressions of hatred, bigotry and group supremacy, which run counter to the American ideal that all people are created equal,” he continued. Ironically enough for this quixotic symbolic resignation, everything that Frazier alleged Trump to have not done, Trump actually did immediately, if not much sooner.
Trump’s very first response to the violence was to reject all hatred and violence present – and over half a year ago, at his inauguration, Trump made a powerful call for national unity that transcends identity politics (which he has since repeated many times).
After the resignation President Trump fired back at Frazier, saying that Merck would now “have more time to LOWER RIPOFF DRUG PRICES!”
This Monday, Trump not only criticized “fake media” outlets, but also remarked that “racism is evil” and went on to specifically call out Nazis, and members of the KKK. He stated, “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.”
Trump went on to, once again, reiterate his inaugural message of national unity, “No matter the color of our skin, we all live under the same laws, we all salute the same great flag, and we are all made by the same almighty God. We must love each other, show affection for each other, and unite together in condemnation of hatred, bigotry and violence. We must rediscover the bonds of love and loyalty that bring us together as Americans.” Trump also pledged to crack down on any, and all, sources of violence and lawlessness.