Will shut down government to build Mexico wall: Trump

Phoenix, Aug. 23: US President Donald Trump revved up supporters on Tuesday with a defense of his response to a white supremacist-organised rally in Virginia and a promise to shut down the US government if necessary to build a wall along the border with Mexico.

Under fire for saying “both sides” were to blame for the violence between white supremacists and left-wing counter protesters in Virginia on August 12, Mr Trump accused television networks of ignoring his calls for unity in the aftermath.

“I didn’t say I love you because you’re black, or I love you because you’re white,” Mr Trump said. “I love all the people of our country.”

Police used pepper spray to disperse crowds after protesters threw rocks and bottles outside the convention center where Mr Trump spoke.

Mr Trump repeatedly singled out the media for criticism of how it covered the violence in the Virginia college town of Charlottesville and the resulting political fallout.

“These are truly dishonest people. They’re bad people. I really think they don’t like our country,” he said. “The only people giving a platform to these hate groups is the media.”

He said many reporters ignored his condemnation of white supremacists, including the KKK.

Even with a budget battle looming in the Congress over the wall, Mr Trump said he would be willing to risk a politically damaging government shutdown in order to secure funding for the wall. “If we have to close down our government, we’re building that wall. We’re going to have our wall,” he said. — Reuters