Former KKK leader David Duke on Tuesday praised President Donald Trump for his "honesty and courage to tell the truth about Charlottesville" following an impromptu press conference where the president doubled down on his initial statement and blamed "many sides" for the violence that took place Saturday in Virginia.
Duke was at the rally in Charlottesville that turned violent when white nationalists clashed with counter protestors, leaving three people dead and at least 34 injured. Trump initially blamed many sides for the violence but called out white nationalists by name almost 48 hours later following criticism that his initial statement about the clash of protestors did not condemn racist groups specifically.
"Racism is evil, and those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo-Nazis, and white supremacists, and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans," the president said from the White House on Monday.
Trump changed his tone Tuesday when reporters started questioning him about the Charlottesville incidents.
One reporter asked Trump whether the alt-right was behind the violence as Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., had stated, and the president in response challenged the reporter to define the alt-right.
As the reporter attempted to answer, Trump cut him off: "Ok, what about the alt-left that came charging at them? Excuse me, what about the alt-left that came charging at the — as you say — the alt-right? Do they have any semblance of guilt?"
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