Six in 10 Americans reject Trump reaction to Charlottesville — poll
WASHINGTON: Most Americans disapprove of Donald Trump’s response to the racefuelled protests and violence in Charlottesville and believe the president is dividing the country, a poll released Wednesday showed.
Trump’s job approval also sank to one of the lowest levels of his turbulent seven-month presidency, as respondents savaged his handling of racial issues following the deadly chaos that gripped the Virginia city, according to the latest Quinnipiac University Poll.
By a margin of 60 per cent to 32 per cent, respondents disapproved of Trump’s response to the events in Charlottesville, and by a similar margin they rejected the way he has handled race relations, the survey showed.
“Elected on his strength as a dealmaker, but now overwhelmingly considered a divider, President Donald Trump has a big negative job approval rating and low scores on handling racial issues,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
Since Trump’s election, hatred and prejudice in the country has increased, 65 per cent of voters said, with just two per cent saying it has decreased.
“One word — Charlottesville,” Malloy said.
Trump was widely criticised for using divisive language after clashes between white supremacist groups, including neo-Nazi and KKK supporters, and those opposed to them.
One woman was killed when a car driven by a suspected white supremacist plowed into a crowd of people after the rally called by farright extremists turned violent.
Trump initially failed to explicitly condemn white supremacists for their role in the rally and the bloodshed, and said there were egregious displays of bigotry ‘on many sides’.
He doubled down on his deeply controversial stance three days later, insisting there was ‘blame on both sides’.
Poll respondents, by a margin of 62 to 35 per cent, said they believe Trump “does not provide the US with moral leadership,” Quinnipiac said. — AFP