Readers' best comments: Trump made clear which side he stands behind
- Americans have fought Nazis before, that’s what they were doing.
- “Antifa” protesters were just as violent as the white supremacists.
- Trump is trying to walk the fence so he doesn’t alienate any of his supporters.
President Trump argued on Tuesday that left-wing groups were just as violent as the white supremacists who staged a demonstration in Charlottesville, Va. Comments are edited for clarity and grammar:
Make no mistake, today Trump took a stand for white supremacy. The president is one of them 100%.
Trump is changing the very fabric on which this country was built on, and his base is 100% behind him. Speak out, speak up, resist. Do not bury your head in the sand. That just makes you complacent.
— Rickey Freddie
In reality, both sides have their groups of extremists. Trump’s comments are 100% correct; this should be an issue both sides should unite on, shutting down violent extremism on both sides of the spectrum.
What is happening is the right is condemning neo-Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan, but the left refuses to condemn “antifa” (anti-fascists) and radical communists.
— David Rich
More:Trump Tower presser proved our president is far worse than a racist
Trump has no problem calling out FBI directors, attorney generals, Republican senators and CEOs by name in the most disrespectful terms without knowing the full facts. But when it comes to white supremacists and Nazis, he can’t condemn them until he is absolutely sure that these hate groups might be evil.
Trump is severely unqualified to lead this nation.
— Tom Miller
At least Trump called out the troublemakers in Charlottesville as opposed to former president Barack Obama, who showed sympathy toward Black Lives Matter in Ferguson, Mo.
— Barry VanTrees
Trump made it entirely clear which political party he represents; it is the one wearing swastika armbands.
— Gabe Litvin
Nobody but Trump could continuously dig his hole deeper in such a classless way.
And don’t give me any “but Hillary Clinton this” or “but President Obama that” because that doesn’t work anymore.
Trump owns his ineptitude and lack of common sense regardless of anyone else.
— Scott Hardy
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