This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-rally-phoenix-protest-latest-attack-media-charlottesville-a7907641.html
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Trump attacks 'dishonest media' for distorting Charlottesville remarks | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Donald Trump has used a rally in Phoenix to blast the "dishonest media" for misrepresenting his remarks over the violence in Charlottesville - reading portions of statements to prove the point he had immediately condemned white supremacists, but missing out segments where he said their was blame for the violence "on both sides". | Donald Trump has used a rally in Phoenix to blast the "dishonest media" for misrepresenting his remarks over the violence in Charlottesville - reading portions of statements to prove the point he had immediately condemned white supremacists, but missing out segments where he said their was blame for the violence "on both sides". |
| Widespread condemnation of his response to the Virginia protest organised by white supremacists that led to the killing of a counter-protester had followed Mr Trump placing blame for the Charlottesville violence on more than one side. | Widespread condemnation of his response to the Virginia protest organised by white supremacists that led to the killing of a counter-protester had followed Mr Trump placing blame for the Charlottesville violence on more than one side. |
| But, playing to the crowd of thousands at the campaign-style rally, as more than one chorus of boos rang out at the mention of the media, Mr Trump claimed that the "words were perfect" in his various Charlottesville statements and accused what he called "the fake news" of being the ones of providing a platform for extremist groups. | But, playing to the crowd of thousands at the campaign-style rally, as more than one chorus of boos rang out at the mention of the media, Mr Trump claimed that the "words were perfect" in his various Charlottesville statements and accused what he called "the fake news" of being the ones of providing a platform for extremist groups. |
| Mr Trump opened the rally 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.” | Mr Trump opened the rally 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. | 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. |
| Eventually moving on, he returned to the familiar theme of Democrats "obstructing" Republican legislation on healthcare and other bills, but also pushing the crowd to "speak to their senator | Eventually moving on, he returned to the familiar theme of Democrats "obstructing" Republican legislation on healthcare and other bills, but also pushing the crowd to "speak to their senator |
| Mr Trump spoke after Vice President Mike Pence and others called repeatedly for unity. | Mr 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.” | 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.” |
| Outside the Phoenix convention centre, shouting matches and minor scuffles erupted between Trump supporters and some of the thousands of protesters gathered near the site of his latest campaign rally. Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton had asked Mr Trump to delay his political event to allow for more time of national healing after Charlottesville. | Outside the Phoenix convention centre, shouting matches and minor scuffles erupted between Trump supporters and some of the thousands of protesters gathered near the site of his latest campaign rally. Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton had asked Mr Trump to delay his political event to allow for more time of national healing after Charlottesville. |
| In the comfort of his most fervent fans, Mr Trump often resurrects his free-wheeling 2016 campaign style, pinging insults at perceived enemies such as the media and meandering from topic to topic without a clear theme. | In the comfort of his most fervent fans, Mr Trump often resurrects his free-wheeling 2016 campaign style, pinging insults at perceived enemies such as the media and meandering from topic to topic without a clear theme. |
| Neither of Arizona's two Republican senators appeared with Mr Trump. Republican Senator Jeff Flake, a conservative, has been a frequent target of Mr Trump's wrath. | Neither of Arizona's two Republican senators appeared with Mr Trump. Republican Senator Jeff Flake, a conservative, has been a frequent target of Mr Trump's wrath. |
| The president tweeted last week: “Great to see that Dr. Kelli Ward is running against Flake Jeff Flake, who is WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate. He's toxic!” Flake has been on tour promoting his book that says the Republican Party's embrace of Trump has left conservatism withering. | The president tweeted last week: “Great to see that Dr. Kelli Ward is running against Flake Jeff Flake, who is WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate. He's toxic!” Flake has been on tour promoting his book that says the Republican Party's embrace of Trump has left conservatism withering. |
| At the rally, Mr Trump said he would mention no names, but appeared to reference Mr Flake by again talking about a local Senator who is "weak on borders", adding that "nobody knows who he is". | At the rally, Mr Trump said he would mention no names, but appeared to reference Mr Flake by again talking about a local Senator who is "weak on borders", adding that "nobody knows who he is". |
| Arizona's other senator, John McCain, is undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer. Mr Trump has been critical of McCain for voting against a Republican health care bill. | Arizona's other senator, John McCain, is undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer. Mr Trump has been critical of McCain for voting against a Republican health care bill. |
| Tuesday's events put Mr Trump in more comfortable political territory than in recent days. | Tuesday's events put Mr Trump in more comfortable political territory than in recent days. |
| He began his Arizona visit with a brief trip to the southern edge of the country. | He began his Arizona visit with a brief trip to the southern edge of the country. |
| While touring a Marine Corps base in Yuma that is a hub of operations for the US Border Patrol, Trump inspected a drone and other border equipment on display in a hangar. | While touring a Marine Corps base in Yuma that is a hub of operations for the US Border Patrol, Trump inspected a drone and other border equipment on display in a hangar. |
| Mr Trump shook his head as he was shown a series of everyday objects, such as a fire extinguisher, that had been refashioned to secretly transport drugs across the border. Afterward, he spent about 20 minutes greeting service members in the gruelling, 106-degree heat, signing caps with his “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan and posing for selfies on the tarmac just steps from Air Force One. | Mr Trump shook his head as he was shown a series of everyday objects, such as a fire extinguisher, that had been refashioned to secretly transport drugs across the border. Afterward, he spent about 20 minutes greeting service members in the gruelling, 106-degree heat, signing caps with his “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan and posing for selfies on the tarmac just steps from Air Force One. |
| Associated Press contributed to this report | Associated Press contributed to this report |