Theresa May Criticizes Donald Trump's Charlottesville Comments

Alana Horowitz Satlin
Updated

President Donald Trump’s staggering defense of a white supremacist rally has been denounced by Democrats, Republicans and, now, officials across the pond.

“I see no equivalence between those who propound fascist views and those who oppose them,” British Prime Minister Theresa May said Wednesday when asked about a news conference Trump had given the day before, during which he criticized anti-fascist protesters more strongly than the so-called “alt-right.”

Trump’s unprecedented remarks on Tuesday included his claim that some of the people who attended the rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, over the weekend were “very fine people.” He also said that those marching in protest of the removal of a Confederate statue ― people who carried flaming torches and Nazi insignia, chanting phrases like “Jews will not replace us”― were “protesting very quietly.”

May called on Trump to speak out more strongly against white supremacy.

“I think it is important for all those in positions of responsibility to condemn far right views wherever we hear them,” she said.

Her comments were similar to those made by several other top members of her party. They have called on Downing Street to cancel Trump’s first state visit to the United Kingdom, which is planned for sometime later this year. May has been under pressure for months to disinvite Trump over his divisive policies and rhetoric.

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Four-year-old Leo Griffin leaves an Aug. 13 Chicago protest that mourned the victims of the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, the day before.
Four-year-old Leo Griffin leaves an Aug. 13 Chicago protest that mourned the victims of the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, the day before.
People hold signs at a vigil on Aug. 13 in Chicago for the victims in the previous day's violent clashes in Charlottesville.
People hold signs at a vigil on Aug. 13 in Chicago for the victims in the previous day's violent clashes in Charlottesville.
People gather in downtown Chicago on Aug. 13 to protest the alt-right movement and to mourn Heather Heyer, who was killed in Charlottesville when a car plowed into a crowd of counterprotesters.
People gather in downtown Chicago on Aug. 13 to protest the alt-right movement and to mourn Heather Heyer, who was killed in Charlottesville when a car plowed into a crowd of counterprotesters.
Demonstrators hold signs outside the White House on Aug. 13 during a vigil in response to the death of a counterprotester in the Aug. 12 "Unite the Right" rally.
Demonstrators hold signs outside the White House on Aug. 13 during a vigil in response to the death of a counterprotester in the Aug. 12 "Unite the Right" rally.
A woman writes "Silence is Compliance" with a chalk on the ground at Federal Plaza Square in Chicago during an Aug. 13 protest in response to the violence that erupted in Charlottesville.
A woman writes "Silence is Compliance" with a chalk on the ground at Federal Plaza Square in Chicago during an Aug. 13 protest in response to the violence that erupted in Charlottesville.
People gather in downtown Chicago on Aug. 13 to protest the alt-right movement.
People gather in downtown Chicago on Aug. 13 to protest the alt-right movement.
Ahead of President Donald Trump's visit, about 400 demonstrators on Fifth Avenue near Trump Tower in New York attend a rally protesting the violence in Charlottesville.
Ahead of President Donald Trump's visit, about 400 demonstrators on Fifth Avenue near Trump Tower in New York attend a rally protesting the violence in Charlottesville.
A demonstrator holds a banner reading "Only 1 Side Love" during a protest at Federal Plaza Square in Chicago on Aug. 13.
A demonstrator holds a banner reading "Only 1 Side Love" during a protest at Federal Plaza Square in Chicago on Aug. 13.
People gather in front of the White House to hold a vigil on Aug. 13, one day after the violence in Charlottesville.
People gather in front of the White House to hold a vigil on Aug. 13, one day after the violence in Charlottesville.
A demonstrator holds a banner reading "Hate Has No Home Here. Love Will Win" during an Aug. 13 protest at Federal Plaza Square in Chicago.
A demonstrator holds a banner reading "Hate Has No Home Here. Love Will Win" during an Aug. 13 protest at Federal Plaza Square in Chicago.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.