After the awful events in Charlottesville last week President Trump had the opportunity to make a speech that would go some way to establishing his position as a credible world leader and politician who has no place for extremist views. Instead what we got on August 12th was a rambling, ad-libbed speech placing the blame "on many sides."
Uproar across the US
The outrage to trump's 'many sides' remark was instant. How could the president actually believe that the demonstrations and violence by white supremacist groups be down to 'many sides'? Criticism was swift, including some from politicians in his own party and he was quick to make an attempt to backtrack with another speech condemning racism in all its forms.
Unfortunately, for some strange reason, Trump went on to make a third speech where he went back to his original views and blamed what he termed the "alt-left" as well as the "alt-right".
Fallout from business and world leaders
As a result of views expressed in his speeches, Trump has been left increasingly isolated as business chiefs have jumped ship from his manufacturing councils. The exodus was started by Kenneth Frazier, CEO of pharmaceutical company Merck, and an African American, who resigned from the council on Monday. He was followed by bosses of Under Armour and Intel and it quickly became clear that the councils were sinking fast and in fact, they have now been disbanded.
It is not solely amongst the business elite that Trump has been left adrift, UK Prime minister Theresa May has also spoken out about his views, stating in an interview with the BBC, that far right views should always be condemned.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was also quoted in an article by 'The Independent' newspaper as saying that the scenes were " absolutely repulsive" and "diametrically opposed to the political goals ....of the entire German government."
The White House has issued a statement, probably as some form of damage limitation, to say that the President was condemning "all extremist groups," but the President has yet to comment himself.
Republicans against Trump
Even within his own party, Trump is experiencing opposition and several senators have spoken out against what they term "moral equivalency".
Senator John McCain gave his views in this tweet;
There's no moral equivalency between racists & Americans standing up to defy hate& bigotry. The President of the United States should say so
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) August 16, 2017
Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona tweeted;
We can't accept excuses for white supremacy & acts of domestic terrorism. We must condemn. Period.
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) August 15, 2017
Many other Republican senators voiced their concerns over what appears to be Trump condoning the acts of the far-right in Charlottesville.
A President isolated
After this last episode, the President is becoming increasingly isolated and without support. He is no stranger to controversy, and indeed he seems to court it. But as he loses his grip, not only on his political allies but on business chiefs and his own party, we must wonder where this will end? Can this chaotic approach to presidency and leadership realistically continue for another three and a half years?
