- White House Acts to Stem Fallout From Trump’s First Charlottesville Remarks – The New York Times – The press does rhetorical analysis. – (trump persuasion rhetorical_situation )
- Donald Trump under fire after failing to denounce Virginia white supremacists – This account makes it clear that Trump mis-used the rhetorical moment. Didn't just miss the opportunity to condemn white supremacists but used it to normalize racism. This is not a rhetorically innocent move.
> The president said he condemned “hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides” on Saturday. He then repeated the phrase “on many sides” for emphasis. A White House spokesperson later amplified the president’s remarks, telling the Guardian: “The president was condemning hatred, bigotry and violence from all sources and all sides. There was violence between protesters and counter-protesters today.”
> But there was strong reaction to Trump’s refusal to denounce far-right extremists who had marched through the streets carrying flaming torches, screaming racial epithets and setting upon their opponents. – (politics efficacy trump rhetoric rhetorical_situation )
- Trump lit the torches of white supremacy in Charlottesville. We must extinguish them. – The Washington Post – Trump tries to take naming out of debate. The conservatives make it the center of debate – by declaring the name is not open for debate.
> But this abomination that happened in Charlottesville over the weekend is not up for debate. It’s not a cultural take or a political platform. Racism, bigotry and terrorism in the name of white nationalism isn’t a “side.” It’s a poison. – (rhetoric trump categorization naming )