In a significant retraction, Snopes confirmed on June 20, 2024, that former President Donald Trump never called neo-Nazis "very fine people."
The Post Millenial reported that Snopes, an alleged "fact-checking" website, finally admitted that they lied about Trump's remarks following the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Richmond, Virginia. This comes after years of Democrats falsely slandering Trump as a neo-Nazi sympathizer.
The rally, held on August 11-12, 2017, protested the removal of a Confederate statue of General Robert E. Lee. During the event, Heather Heyer, a leftist activist, tragically lost her life.
Amidst the chaos and violence, Trump's comments were initially interpreted by some media outlets as equating neo-Nazis and white supremacists with peaceful protesters. This led to widespread backlash and controversy.
On June 20, 2024, Snopes issued a statement acknowledging that Trump did not describe neo-Nazis and white nationalists as "very fine people." Snopes stated, "No, Trump did not call neo-Nazis and white supremacists 'very fine people.'"
Trump had, instead, condemned the extremists while differentiating them from the non-violent protesters. "I'm not talking about the Neo-Nazis and the white nationalists, because they should be condemned totally," he had clarified.
Trump's comments on August 15, 2017, focused on the broader debate over historical preservation and the removal of statues. "You're changing history. You're changing culture," he said, warning against removing statues of historical figures who owned slaves.
He emphasized that his remarks referred to individuals protesting the removal of the statue, not to the extremist groups. "There were people in that rally... protesting very quietly the taking down of the statue of Robert E. Lee."
Trump noted the unfair treatment by the press towards the peaceful protesters. "The press has treated them absolutely unfairly," he asserted.
This distinction was crucial, but the initial mischaracterization led to a persistent narrative. It became a focal point during the 2020 presidential election.
Joe Biden launched his presidential campaign in 2020 primarily based on the misinterpreted comments. He accused Trump of equating neo-Nazis with those opposing hate.
“And that’s when we heard the words of the President of the United States that stunned the world,” Biden declared while announcing his candidacy.
Biden portrayed the event as a catalyst for his decision to run, emphasizing the moral imperative to challenge such beliefs.
Throughout his term, Trump consistently condemned extremist groups while maintaining that peaceful protesters should not be vilified. "You had people, that were very fine people—on both sides," he reiterated regarding the statue removal debate.
The retraction by Snopes rectifies a key point of contention, reshaping the discussion around Trump's presidency and the narratives that influenced the 2020 election.
Trump's statements underscored his perspective on historical preservation. "George Washington was a slave owner... Are we going to take down statues to George Washington? And how about Thomas Jefferson?"
The clarification by Snopes highlights the critical role of accurate reporting in political discourse. It also underscores the need for vigilance in separating fact from interpretation.
The misinterpretation of Trump's statements had a profound impact on the political landscape, fueling debates and shaping public perception.
As the discussion continues, the importance of context in understanding political rhetoric becomes ever more apparent.
In conclusion, the recent admission by Snopes that Trump never praised neo-Nazis marks a significant correction in the ongoing narrative.
The initial mischaracterization of his comments following the 2017 Unite the Right rally influenced the 2020 presidential race, with Biden basing his campaign on this falsehood.
Trump's consistent condemnation of extremists, while supporting peaceful protests, highlights the complexity of political discourse and the need for accurate reporting. The events surrounding the rally, Trump's clarifications, and the broader implications continue to be scrutinized in the context of historical preservation and media integrity.
