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."
Looks like many anti-police agitators in Boston. Police are looking tough and smart! Thank you.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2017
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.
Someone 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
— David Atkins (@DavidOAtkins) August 19, 2017
I thought they were anti-police agitators. https://t.co/XxB6A4mt0x
— Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) August 19, 2017
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."
15,000 people peacefully protest a neo-nazi rally, and this is the best the president of the united states can do.
Resign. https://t.co/jxG7r2EqkI
— David Atkins (@DavidOAtkins) August 19, 2017
Again, this man attacks anti-Nazi protestors. He's determined to create a culture war in America to distract from his unethical failures. https://t.co/rm0RIWpgkT
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) August 19, 2017
Trump on Tuesday: "Before I make a statement, I need the facts."
Trump on Saturday: https://t.co/U0Jl6KvYjG
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 19, 2017
Your'e attempt to hide your sympathy for Nazis behind support for police is not fooling anyone...
— Trita Parsi (@tparsi) August 19, 2017
