It took President Donald Trump three days to finally condemn the white supremacists responsible for the horrific violence in Charlottesville over the weekend that cost three people their lives: Heather Heyer, and state troopers Jay Cullen and Berke Bates.
Trump has never been one to be shy about denouncing anything and everything he disapproves of, so his silence was read by hate groups as a dog whistle of approval.
After delivering his remarks today condemning “the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and other hate groups,” he walked away from the podium without answering questions from reporters wanting to know why it took him so long to denounce said groups.
Charlotte Observer cartoonist Kevin Siers is, as usual, brilliant in his response, which you can see below.
Update (8/15/17): Trump spoke again at a press conference that was supposed to be about infrastructure but became primarily about Charlottesville as soon as reporters were able to ask him questions.
Trump yet again doubled down on his refusal to condemn those who came to hold a racist rally, ostensibly over the removal of a Robert E. Lee statue, but more than anything a show of strength and intimidation that resulted in violence and death.
The president not only defended some of those who attended on the side of the “Unite the Right” fringe, but also said of removing Confederate statues, “You’re changing history. You’re changing culture.” He is giving the white supremacists the dog whistle racist talking points they desire.
Siers has drawn another cartoon in response.
Good one.