Trump blasts Lindsey Graham and media for ‘disgusting lie’

President Trump rejected the notion that he drew a “moral equivalency” between neo-Nazis and those who protest against them, branding any such claim “a disgusting lie.”

In a series of tweets, Trump blasted critic Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and blamed “fake news” for the alleged twisting of his statements at an off-the-wall press conference earlier in the week.

“Publicity seeking Lindsey Graham falsely stated that I said there is moral equivalency between the KKK, neo-Nazis & white supremacists and people like Ms. Heyer,” when a man plowed his car into a crowd​ of counter-protesters at a Unite the Right rally.

Graham responded later Thursday and urged Trump “to fix this.”

“Your tweet honoring Miss Heyer was very nice and appropriate. Well done,” Graham wrote on Twitter.

But he said the president’s defense of white supremacists sends the wrong message.

“However, because of the manner in which you have handled the Charlottesville tragedy you are now receiving praise from some,” he said. “You are now receiving praise from some of the most racist and hate-filled individuals and groups in our country.”

On Tuesday, Trump leaped to the defense of alt-right groups, angrily insisting that both sides were to blame for the weekend violence.

​”You look at both sides. I think there is blame on both sides. I have no doubt about it,” he said during a news conference at Trump Tower.

On Wednesday, Graham blasted Trump, and promised that GOPers would “fight back against the idea that the party of Lincoln has a welcome mat out for the David Dukes of the world.”

“Through his statements yesterday, President Trump took a step backward by again suggesting there is moral equivalency between the white supremacist neo-Nazis and KKK members who attended the Charlottesville rally and people like Ms. [Heather] Heyer,” Graham said. “I, along with many others, do not endorse this moral equivalency.”

Trump called the statement “such a disgusting lie,” adding, “He just can’t forget his election trouncing. The people of South Carolina will remember!”

He continued: “The public is learning (even more so) how dishonest the Fake News is. They totally misrepresent what I say about hate, bigotry etc. Shame!”

Trump also attacked Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), who condemned the president’s remarks about Charlottesville, writing on Twitter that “we can’t accept excuses for white supremacy & acts of domestic terrorism.”

Referring to the Senate primary election in Arizona, Trump gave a shout-out to Flake’s challenger.
“Great to see that Dr. Kelli Ward is running against Flake Jeff Flake, who is WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate. He’s toxic!,” Trump wrote.