Fact Check: Trump called Nazis very fine people

Fact Check: "Trump called Nazis very fine people"

What We Know

The claim that Donald Trump referred to Nazis and white supremacists as "very fine people" stems from his comments made during a press conference on August 15, 2017, following the violent events in Charlottesville, Virginia. During this press conference, Trump stated, "You also had some very fine people on both sides," which has been interpreted by many as including those who were part of the white nationalist rally. However, Trump later clarified that his remarks were directed at individuals protesting the removal of a Confederate statue, not the neo-Nazis or white supremacists (source-1, source-2).

In subsequent statements, Trump has condemned white supremacy and neo-Nazism multiple times, asserting that he was not referring to these groups when he mentioned "very fine people" (source-3, source-8). For instance, he stated, "I've condemned neo-Nazis. I've condemned many different groups" (source-1).

Analysis

The interpretation of Trump's comments is contentious. Critics argue that the phrasing "very fine people" was ambiguous and could be construed as a defense of those participating in the rally, including neo-Nazis. For instance, the Washington Post noted that Trump's comments were perceived as an attempt to equate the actions of white nationalists with those of counter-protesters (source-4).

Conversely, supporters of Trump argue that he explicitly condemned neo-Nazis and white supremacists in other parts of his remarks and that his reference to "very fine people" was about individuals protesting the statue's removal (source-2, source-6).

Fact-checking organizations, including Snopes and FactCheck.org, have pointed out that while Trump did not directly call neo-Nazis "very fine people," his comments were poorly worded and have led to significant misinterpretation (source-7, source-8).

Conclusion

The claim that "Trump called Nazis very fine people" is Partially True. While Trump did use the phrase "very fine people" in reference to individuals present at the Charlottesville rally, he later clarified that he was not referring to neo-Nazis or white supremacists. His comments have been interpreted in various ways, leading to confusion and debate about his intent. Thus, while the statement captures a part of his remarks, it lacks the full context and nuance necessary for a complete understanding.

Fact Check: Trump called Nazis very fine people