PHOENIX—U.S.President Donald Trump is blaming the media for the widespread condemnation of his response to a Charlottesville, Va., protest organized by white supremacists that led to the killing of a counter-protester.Trump opened his political rally in Phoenix with a call for unity, saying, “What happened in Charlottesville strikes at the core of America and tonight, this entire arena stands united in forceful condemnation of the thugs that perpetrated hatred and violence.”But he quickly trained his ire on the media, shouting that he “openly called for healing unity and love” in the immediate aftermath of Charlottesville and claiming the media had misrepresented him. He read from his three responses to the violence — getting more animated with each one.Democrats and fellow Republicans had denounced Trump for placing blame for the Charlottesville violence on “both sides.”Trump spoke after Vice-President Mike Pence and others called repeatedly for unity.Housing Secretary Ben Carson and Dr. Alveda King, the niece of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., were among the openers. Franklin Graham, son of the evangelist Billy Graham, led the rally-goers in prayer, saying, “We’re divided racially, and we’re adrift morally.”Read more: Stop saying ‘Mexico is not going to pay for the wall,’ Trump urges Mexican president in leaked transcriptTrump’s plan to win in Afghanistan involves sending 3,900 more troops, officials sayDonald Trump again echoes white supremacists over removal of ‘our beautiful’ Confederate statuesOutside the Phoenix convention centre, shouting matches and minor scuffles erupted between Trump supporters and protesters gathered near the site of his latest campaign rally. Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton had asked Trump to delay his political event to allow for more time of national healing after Charlottesville.Eager to capitalize on hi ...
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