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On Tuesday, President Trump appeared before journalists to give a speech about infrastructure. But as people have come to expect from the off-the-cuff president, Trump's comments quickly veered off-script.
In a press conference following his speech, Trump continued to suggest that there were "many sides" to the violence at an alt-right rally in Virginia this weekend, blaming the "alt-left" for contributing to the death of Heather Heyer. The president's continued refusal to condemn white nationalists has been denounced by many lawmakers, including some in his own party, and even celebrities are weighing in on Trump's Charlottesville comments with more than a little outrage.
"You had a group on one side that was bad," the president said, "and you had a group on the other side that was also very violent. And nobody wants to say that, but I'll say it right now. You had a group on the other side that came charging in without a permit, and they were very, very violent."
Trump's belief that counter-protesters confronting neo-Nazis are somehow morally equivalent to white supremacists is incredibly controversial. For many, these comments can be seen as an assurance that these hate groups have the support and protection of the president, a terrifying idea that can have fatal consequences as white nationalists vow to hold more rallies across the country.
Needless to say, it's important to dissect and analyze what the president's comments can mean for the racial divide in America. Here's what some celebrities had to say.
Patton Oswalt
The comedian put all jokes aside to express the confusion that a lot of Americans are feeling.
Demi Lovato
Lovato chose to add to the "Only One Side" movement, but it's clear that the president doesn't agree.
Emmy Rossum
The Shameless actress perfectly described what a lot of people in America are feeling.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga may have garnered criticism over the weekend for a Twitter poll about Charlottesville, but that didn't stop the singer from creating another one to continue engaging fans in dialogue about the incident.
Ellen DeGeneres
We can always count on Ellen to provide a positive message about love and kindness.
Mark Ruffalo
The actor and documentary filmmaker is no stranger to political activism, so it makes sense that his response would encourage fans to take action by signing an online petition.
Rowan Blanchard
Yep, that's actually a thing the President of the United States said this afternoon.
Rowan Blanchard pt. II
Blanchard may only be 15 years old, but she already has a history of standing up for marginalized groups — something that many would argue the president has been hesitant to do.
Joy Reid
This MSNBC host wasn't far from the truth. White supremacist David Duke praised the president's speech on Twitter just moments after it was broadcast.
J.K. Rowling
Rowling thought the President's speech gave a powerful statement about what he really believes.
Jerry Mitchell
Mitchell, a renowned theatre director and choreographer, described an emoji that is becoming increasingly necessary under Trump's presidency.
Montel Williams
While questioning the mental stability of President Trump is controversial, this talk show host felt that condemning Trump's defense of white supremacists was an important conversation to have.
Chely Wright
This country singer understandably expressed a bleak outlook for the future of America.
Chely Wright pt. II
But she felt that a powerful personal anecdote would be the best response to Trump's comments.
Kumail Nanjiani
This comedian had an inspiring message, offering an alternative view to Trump's notion that protesters were "violent."
Trump's comments about Charlottesville at Tuesday's press conference will no doubt lead to nationwide debate about white supremacy in America. Thankfully, these celebrities are using their power and priviledge to move this conversation forward and voice their opinions on a very important topic.
