Tens of thousands "peacefully protest a neo-Nazi rally, and this is the best the president of the United States can do. Resign," wrote Washington Monthly's David Atkins. (Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr/cc)
'Blatant Smear': Trump Attacks Boston Anti-Racism Demonstrators as 'Anti-Police Agitators'
"Again, this man attacks anti-Nazi protesters. He's determined to create a culture war in America to distract from his unethical failures."
After declaring during a press conference on Tuesday that there were many "very fine people" in attendance at the white supremacist rally that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia last weekend, President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Saturday to launch an attack on the thousands of anti-racist demonstrators in Boston, labeling them "anti-police agitators."
\u201cLooks like many anti-police agitators in Boston. Police are looking tough and smart! Thank you.\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1503170567
An hour later, Trump was back on Twitter, this time to "applaud the many protestors in Boston who are speaking out against bigotry and hate."
Many, given the timing and the tone of the previous tweet, were unconvinced of the follow-up's sincerity.
\u201cSomeone clearly told Trump that calling anti-nazi peaceful protesters anti-police demonstrators was a bad move. The guy can't help himself. https://t.co/nhx87vaRZt\u201d— David Atkins (@David Atkins) 1503175528
\u201cI thought they were anti-police agitators. https://t.co/XxB6A4mt0x\u201d— Jeet Heer (@Jeet Heer) 1503175368
The initial tweet sparked immediate backlash, as commentators called the "anti-police agitators" remark a "blatant smear," and highlighted the fact that Trump continues to attack anti-racist demonstrations while defending neo-Nazis.
"There's nothing more patriotic than resisting racism and hatred," wrote Christian Christensen, a journalism professor at Stockholm University, in response to Trump's tweet. "There's nothing more cowardly than pandering to it."
\u201c15,000 people peacefully protest a neo-nazi rally, and this is the best the president of the united states can do.\n\nResign. https://t.co/jxG7r2EqkI\u201d— David Atkins (@David Atkins) 1503171514
\u201cTrump on Tuesday: "Before I make a statement, I need the facts."\n\nTrump on Saturday: https://t.co/U0Jl6KvYjG\u201d— Kyle Griffin (@Kyle Griffin) 1503173520
\u201c@realDonaldTrump Your'e attempt to hide your sympathy for Nazis behind support for police is not fooling anyone...\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1503170567
An Urgent Message From Our Co-Founder
Dear Common Dreams reader, The U.S. is on a fast track to authoritarianism like nothing I've ever seen. Meanwhile, corporate news outlets are utterly capitulating to Trump, twisting their coverage to avoid drawing his ire while lining up to stuff cash in his pockets. That's why I believe that Common Dreams is doing the best and most consequential reporting that we've ever done. Our small but mighty team is a progressive reporting powerhouse, covering the news every day that the corporate media never will. Our mission has always been simple: To inform. To inspire. And to ignite change for the common good. Now here's the key piece that I want all our readers to understand: None of this would be possible without your financial support. That's not just some fundraising cliche. It's the absolute and literal truth. We don't accept corporate advertising and never will. We don't have a paywall because we don't think people should be blocked from critical news based on their ability to pay. Everything we do is funded by the donations of readers like you. The final deadline for our crucial Summer Campaign fundraising drive is just days away, and we’re falling short of our must-hit goal. Will you donate now to help power the nonprofit, independent reporting of Common Dreams? Thank you for being a vital member of our community. Together, we can keep independent journalism alive when it’s needed most. - Craig Brown, Co-founder |
After declaring during a press conference on Tuesday that there were many "very fine people" in attendance at the white supremacist rally that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia last weekend, President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Saturday to launch an attack on the thousands of anti-racist demonstrators in Boston, labeling them "anti-police agitators."
\u201cLooks like many anti-police agitators in Boston. Police are looking tough and smart! Thank you.\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1503170567
An hour later, Trump was back on Twitter, this time to "applaud the many protestors in Boston who are speaking out against bigotry and hate."
Many, given the timing and the tone of the previous tweet, were unconvinced of the follow-up's sincerity.
\u201cSomeone clearly told Trump that calling anti-nazi peaceful protesters anti-police demonstrators was a bad move. The guy can't help himself. https://t.co/nhx87vaRZt\u201d— David Atkins (@David Atkins) 1503175528
\u201cI thought they were anti-police agitators. https://t.co/XxB6A4mt0x\u201d— Jeet Heer (@Jeet Heer) 1503175368
The initial tweet sparked immediate backlash, as commentators called the "anti-police agitators" remark a "blatant smear," and highlighted the fact that Trump continues to attack anti-racist demonstrations while defending neo-Nazis.
"There's nothing more patriotic than resisting racism and hatred," wrote Christian Christensen, a journalism professor at Stockholm University, in response to Trump's tweet. "There's nothing more cowardly than pandering to it."
\u201c15,000 people peacefully protest a neo-nazi rally, and this is the best the president of the united states can do.\n\nResign. https://t.co/jxG7r2EqkI\u201d— David Atkins (@David Atkins) 1503171514
\u201cTrump on Tuesday: "Before I make a statement, I need the facts."\n\nTrump on Saturday: https://t.co/U0Jl6KvYjG\u201d— Kyle Griffin (@Kyle Griffin) 1503173520
\u201c@realDonaldTrump Your'e attempt to hide your sympathy for Nazis behind support for police is not fooling anyone...\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1503170567
After declaring during a press conference on Tuesday that there were many "very fine people" in attendance at the white supremacist rally that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia last weekend, President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Saturday to launch an attack on the thousands of anti-racist demonstrators in Boston, labeling them "anti-police agitators."
\u201cLooks like many anti-police agitators in Boston. Police are looking tough and smart! Thank you.\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1503170567
An hour later, Trump was back on Twitter, this time to "applaud the many protestors in Boston who are speaking out against bigotry and hate."
Many, given the timing and the tone of the previous tweet, were unconvinced of the follow-up's sincerity.
\u201cSomeone clearly told Trump that calling anti-nazi peaceful protesters anti-police demonstrators was a bad move. The guy can't help himself. https://t.co/nhx87vaRZt\u201d— David Atkins (@David Atkins) 1503175528
\u201cI thought they were anti-police agitators. https://t.co/XxB6A4mt0x\u201d— Jeet Heer (@Jeet Heer) 1503175368
The initial tweet sparked immediate backlash, as commentators called the "anti-police agitators" remark a "blatant smear," and highlighted the fact that Trump continues to attack anti-racist demonstrations while defending neo-Nazis.
"There's nothing more patriotic than resisting racism and hatred," wrote Christian Christensen, a journalism professor at Stockholm University, in response to Trump's tweet. "There's nothing more cowardly than pandering to it."
\u201c15,000 people peacefully protest a neo-nazi rally, and this is the best the president of the united states can do.\n\nResign. https://t.co/jxG7r2EqkI\u201d— David Atkins (@David Atkins) 1503171514
\u201cTrump on Tuesday: "Before I make a statement, I need the facts."\n\nTrump on Saturday: https://t.co/U0Jl6KvYjG\u201d— Kyle Griffin (@Kyle Griffin) 1503173520
\u201c@realDonaldTrump Your'e attempt to hide your sympathy for Nazis behind support for police is not fooling anyone...\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1503170567