Sunday Territorian

Trump slams rising US ‘left-wing fascism’

- JAMES MACSMITH

DONALD Trump has hit out at America’s “cancel culture” and “left-wing fascism” during recent protests across the US in a controvers­ial Independen­ce Day address.

With much of the country warned to stay home and keep celebratio­ns small on its national day due to the coronaviru­s pandemic, President Trump flew to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota to celebrate July 4.

In a wide-ranging speech, Mr Trump took to the stage below the famed monument to condemn what he described as a “merciless campaign to wipe out our history, defame our heroes, erase our values and indoctrina­te our children”.

In the 20-minute address that marked the beginning of Independen­ce Day weekend, Mr Trump said: “This monument will never be desecrated,” referring to Mount Rushmore.

That comment came after statues deemed racist by protesters have been torn down in the US and across the world in recent weeks.

“Angry mobs are trying to tear down statues of our founders and unleash violence in our cities,” he said. “They think the American people are weak and soft and submissive.

“But they don’t know they are strong and won’t allow its history and culture to be taken from them.

“There is a new far left fascism that demands absolute allegiance.

“If you do not follow its commands you will be censored and punished. That’s not going to happen to us. We will not be tyrannised.”

 ?? Picture: AFP ?? PROTESTS: Activists make a stand at the Mount Rushmore National Monument during President Trump’s visit.
Picture: AFP PROTESTS: Activists make a stand at the Mount Rushmore National Monument during President Trump’s visit.

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