The Writers Guild of America West condemned President Trump’s latest comments on Saturday’s terrorist attack in Charlottesville, Virginia, calling his equivocation of white supremacists and anti-fascist protestors something that “legitimizes hate speech and violence, and disgraces our nation.”
“The Writers Guild of America West believes in free speech — even from Nazis and white supremacists,” the guild said in a Wednesday statement.
“But we completely disavow their views, which reflect the worst stains of American history, a history that still lives through racism, prejudice and systematic inequality of opportunity. We demand that violence in support of such views be properly punished. President Trump legitimizes hate speech and violence, and disgraces our nation.”
Tuesday afternoon, the president split the blame equally between white supremacists and anti-fascist protesters, saying there were “fine people on both sides.” This was after a group of torch-bearing white supremacists and neo-Nazis marched in the town Friday night and one ran over several protesters with his car the next day, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer. A memorial service for Heyer was held Wednesday in Charlottesville.
While many Republican politicians — and even Trump’s chief of staff, Gen. John Kelly — winced at the remarks, former KKK leader David Duke tweeted his approval.
7 Trump Fans Who Could Replace Jeffrey Lord on CNN, From Scaramucci to Scott Baio
CNN's firing of Jeffrey Lord leaves an opening for a new pro-Trump defender. Here are eight contenders.
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Anthony Scaramucci
The Mooch is loose, and no one would be more entertaining than the very short-term White House communications director. CNN would have to use a seven-second delay, in case of any f---ing explosions.
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Sean Spicer
Spicey must be missing the spotlight. If he were to join CNN, Melissa McCarthy could reprise her famous SNL impersonation: Win-win.
The former face of "The Blaze" is the youngest person on this list, which couldn't hurt CNN as it tries to draw younger viewers. And she was willing to talk out her disagreements with Trevor Noah. A CNN gig would dramatically raise her profile.
The Blaze
Roger Stone
The dirty trickster is having a moment thanks to a new documentary, "Get Me Roger Stone" -- and of course predicting that Trump could win long before anyone took him seriously. His website describes him as an "alternative historian," though, and we know how CNN feels about "alternative facts."
ABC
Corey Lewandowski
Too easy: Lewandowski was formerly a commentator for CNN, Fox News and One America News Network. He was also Trump's campaign manager. The future's so bright.
Twitter
Scott Baio
Chachi has been down from Day 1. And we know how much Trump values loyalty, as long as your name isn't Jeff Sessions... or Anthony Scaramucci. Anyway, Baio on CNN would bring us many happy days. And it's not like he's busy.
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Chachi or the Mooch could be just the advocates Trump needs
CNN's firing of Jeffrey Lord leaves an opening for a new pro-Trump defender. Here are eight contenders.