President Donald Trump's reaction to white supremacists and neo-Nazis in the aftermath of the Charlottesville riots hasn't been forgotten, even two years later.
The President infamously asserted that there were "very fine people on both sides" at the Unite the Right rally, where white supremacists protested the removal of a confederate statue. The ensuing violence resulted in the murder of counter-protestor Heather Heyer.
So when the President's campaign tweeted in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., frequent Trump critic George Conway reminded his Twitter followers of Trump's indifference toward white supremacy during the Charlottesville riots.
“Very fine people on both sides,” right? https://t.co/uKdQBqWsFd— George Conway (@George Conway) 1579531815.0
Coded racism and nationalism have been a mainstay of Trump's campaign and presidency. Few have forgotten that he began his 2016 campaign by calling Mexican immigrants rapists and criminals. Since the launch of his 2016 campaign, the Trump campaign has emboldened white supremacists by demonizing immigrants and people of color with dangerous rhetoric, bans based on religion, and the employment of known white nationalists to his team.
The campaign's tweet claiming to honor the life of Dr. King rang hollow.
Hypocritical statement from a racist since the 60's! He can't even visit and pay respect to MLK statue! MLK is a mu… https://t.co/9ksG9V7c7j— HumptyTrumpty (@HumptyTrumpty) 1579532385.0
“Call it democracy, or call it democratic socialism, but there must be a better distribution of wealth within this… https://t.co/Mmf7Y4w24P— H.D. Gregg 🌹🏴✝️ (@H.D. Gregg 🌹🏴✝️) 1579532944.0
@gtconway3d Nothing says MLK day like three old white guys who conspired to defraud our democracy.— Carmen Clark (@Carmen Clark) 1579539367.0
@gtconway3d Trump is All about Trump his money and Pitching his Brand!— Fred Mungia (@Fred Mungia) 1579538882.0
@gtconway3d He probably thinks he's a hip hop singer.— kathleen (@kathleen) 1579532003.0
@TeamTrump From the President who lied about the first African-American President's place of birth, in order to delegitimize him.— Ken Meltzer (@Ken Meltzer) 1579532356.0
@TeamTrump The best way you could honor Dr King would be to resign so the country can begin healing.— foundersrolling🌊🌊🌊 (@foundersrolling🌊🌊🌊) 1579532175.0
@TeamTrump Trump doesn't have any idea why we honor Dr King!— Stuart Morrell (@Stuart Morrell) 1579532926.0
It's worth noting that the photo posted by Team Trump is from 2019. The President does not have any Martin Luther King Day events on his public schedule this year.