The Washington Post editorial board penned a blistering piece about President Donald Trump’s defensive behavior during a press conference on his response to the weekend’s violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.
“The president of the United States all but declared that he has their backs,” the board wrote.
The New York Times’ analysis of the press conference echoed the Post’s sentiment, warning that the president had “buoyed the white nationalist movement on Tuesday as no president has done in generations.”
Following the violence in Charlottesville, Trump first condemned “many sides” for the events that occurred. It took him two days to criticize white supremacists and neo-Nazis by name. But at Trump Tower on Tuesday, he returned to his original response of blaming “both sides” for the violence that unfolded in the city.
The Washington Post editorial called out the president for falsely equating white supremacists with those who were there to protest their racism, a stance that drew praise from white supremacists, including Duke.
It also chastised Trump for failing to phone the family of Heather Heyer, the 32-year-old woman killed when a car plowed into a group of protesters demonstrating against white supremacists and neo-Nazis. At least 19 others were injured.
The board added:
“That car in Charlottesville did not kill or wound just the 20 bodies it struck. It damaged the nation. Mr. Trump not only failed to help the country heal; he made the wound wider and deeper.”
Neo-Nazis and white supremacists encircle and chant at counter-protesters at the base of a Thomas Jefferson statue on Aug. 11, 2017, after marching with torches through the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Neo-Nazis and white supremacists take part in the "Unite the Right" rally.
The group marched through the University of Virginia campus with torches.
A man wears Nazi regalia before the "Unite the Right" rally.
Counter-protesters arrive at the "Unite the Right" rally.
White supremacists carry Nazi flags on Aug. 12, 2017.
A white supremacist carries the Confederate flag as he walks past counter-demonstrators.
White nationalists march through the street.
A sign on a business in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia.
Police arrive at the scene of protests after a state of emergency is announced in Charlottesville, Virginia.
A man is down during a clash between white nationalist protesters and a group of counter-protesters.
White nationalists and counter-protesters clash.
A protester receives first-aid during a clash between white nationalists and counter-protesters.
A man makes a slashing motion across his throat toward counter-protesters as he marches with other white nationalists and neo-Nazis during the "Unite the Right" rally.
A white supremacist stands behind militia members after he scuffled with a counter-demonstrator.
Virginia State Police use pepper spray as they move in during a clash between white nationalist protesters and counter-protesters.
Hundreds of white nationalists and neo-Nazis march down East Market Street toward Lee Park during the "Unite the Right" rally.
A smoke bomb is thrown at a group of counter-protesters.
Virginia State Troopers stand under a statue of Robert E. Lee. White nationalists descended on Charlottesville to protest the statue's removal.
Anti-fascist counter-protesters wait outside Lee Park to hurl insults as white nationalists and neo-Nazis are forced out after the "Unite the Right" rally was declared an unlawful gathering.
A group of counter-protesters rally against white nationalists.
A man is seen with an injury during a clash between white nationalists and counter-protesters.
Protesters and counter-protesters after being pepper-sprayed and/or maced.
David Duke (C), participates in the white nationalist rally.
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