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Seth Meyers Furiously Rips Apart Trump's Weak Response To The Charlottesville Violence
On Monday night, Late Night host Seth Meyers blasted President Trump's response to the Charlottesville violence in a furious, no-holds-barred monologue.
The leader of our country is called the president because he's supposed to preside over our society. His job is to lead, to cajole, to scold, to correct our path, to lift up what is good about us and to absolutely and unequivocally and immediately condemn what is evil in us. And if he does not do that, if he does not preside over our society, then he is not a president.
Meyers also condemned Trump for not immediately showing sympathy for the victim of the deadly violence, Heather Heyer, and for not using the word "terrorist" to describe the white nationalist who committed the violence: "It was a horrifying incident that left most of the country stunned and terrified, but on Saturday you didn't hear [Heather Heyer's] name, or the terrorist's name, or even the word 'terrorist' from our president," Meyers noted.
Over the weekend, white supremacists rallied in Charlottesville to prevent the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Counter-protestors — including Heyer — were there to demonstrate against the alt-right agitators. A clash broke out and police intervened.
Meyers further criticized Trump for initially saying that in Charlottesville, there was violence "on many sides."
"'On many sides,'" Meyers repeated. "If that choice of words made you feel sick to your stomach, the good news is you're a normal and decent person. The jury is still out on the president as he initially refused to condemn the white supremacist movement in this country."
It was not until two days later that President Trump finally condemned the white supremacist faction. On Monday, two days after the violence, Trump made comments that some felt were still inadequate.
Racism is evil. And those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including KKK, Neo-Nazis, White Supremacists, and other hate groups are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans. Those who spread violence in the name of bigotry strike at the very core of America.
Seth Meyers was not the only late night host to decry the president's handling of the Charlottesville violence — Jimmy Fallon also had harsh words for Trump on The Tonight Show.
What happened over the weekend in Charlottesville, Va., was just disgusting. I was watching the news like everyone else, and you’re seeing Nazi flags and torches and white supremacists, and I was sick to my stomach.