In a separate interview Tuesday, the president also declared,"We are in a culture war."The flag has become a flash point in that increasingly bitter debate -- amplified by Trump as he tries to regain lost ground in a reelection campaign dominated by how he's dealt with the pandemic.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an event at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in Keystone, South Dakota, July 3, 2020.At that briefing Monday, she also deflected repeated questions about the president's NASCAR tweet and where Trump stood the Confederate flag issue, saying he hadn't taken a position."I spoke to him this morning about this, and he said he was not making a judgment one way or the other," McEnany said, when asked about the president's tweet.
File photo, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley arriving for briefing with members of the U.S. House of Representatives about the situation with Iran, at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 8, 2020 in Washington.Back in February the Marine Corps was the first military service to ban Confederate flags and divisive symbols, a ban that went into effect in June.
The head of U.S. Forces Korea, Army Gen. Robert Abrams, also banned the Confederate flag on all USFK installations last month, saying in a memo,"The Confederate Battle Flag does not represent the values of U.S. Forces assigned to serve in the Republic of Korea."This file photo taken on Dec. 26, 2011, shows the Pentagon building in Washington, D.C.
Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, a member of the committee which approved the measure, asked directly last month about the president's opposition, said,"Well, we'll work that through, but we're moving in the right direction." Trump has seen resistance from his own party since tweeting Monday that NASCAR's only full-time Black driver should apologize for an investigation he did not call for and"that & Flag decision has caused lowest ratings EVER!"
"We're starting to see some cracks within the Republican Party -- and that's one of the things that makes Trump's comments so strange -- because he does really seem to be left behind right now," said Kevin Levin, a historian based in Boston who specializes in Civil War history.
He’s right. It also doesn’t mean he supports the confederate flag.
If you live in the south your going to see Federal flags that’s all there is to it! If you don’t like them don’t move in the South!!
Heaven forbid the President should acknowledge that Americans do have freedom of speech. Heaven forbid ABC should fail to pretend that He, and not the Left is pushing a race war for political gain. Journalism is dead.
You guys do know the Confederate flag ment rebel flag. Most people I knew that had them was just so they can say they are rebels not racist. It's sad to see people use cloth to justify their hate. Instead of using cloth to rebel hate.
Man will do anything or say anything for attention. He knows not this country's history. The confederate flag is a flag of treason and it is a flag of slavery; it is an abomination. And ,in my view, so is this president.
Why stand on this hill, Trump?
Really Donald ,for whom ?
OmarKelly Yes. It is freedom of speech to fly it on the back of your 96 squatted Chevy... but it’s treasonous to attach it to government buildings and military bases.
BLM=symbol of hate Confederate flag= freedom of speech Got it.
Shut up monster
The fact y’all get mad when he’s trying to protect freedom of speech is disgusting. The confederate flag means way more than you fairies think
ABSOLTELY CORRECT!!
And it is.
OmarKelly President still hasn’t read the constitution!
Wow, now he put both feet in his mouth. Lets see how many staffers it will take to take them out of his mouth again.
Like a cornered hurt dog. He will take this country as far down as he can before getting voted out. Only 5 more months! TickTock
He is White Supremacist and a liar in all cases
Desperately trying to get racist outrage going, it’s almost like that’s all he has.
How many theatres of war are there at present? Cold War, economic war, immigration war, drug war, racism war, culture war, fake news war, Covid war, law and order war. Defund police and all the bad guys winning because of the rule of law skirmishes keep the government too busy.
He is an uneducated racist
What’s is going on with him He did all what that happened in America now !!
Will say the same for nazis
Flying the a Confederate flag probably is protected freedom of speech but like a lot of things it doesn’t make it right or honorable. Also NASCAR and other venues also have a right to say NO to many things...maybe coolers, umbrellas, food, etc...or Confederate flags...
There are no statutes of Hitler in Germany, lil putin realDonaldTrump
WTHEL? Trump is frickin' insane... 🙄
Trump is a trader, racist and not fit for president. The world is laughing at us becuase of him.
he just declared civil war
He’s the only one promoting a,”Culture war”. He’s trying to divide Americans.
So he no longer hides it? Time to burn him down.
'Preserving the legacy of the Confederate South?' They were the ultimate traitors to this country in trying to destroy it. This POTUS is also clearly a traitor to all we stand for. There. Is. No. Bottom. TraitorTrump
That he lives by the 4 Ds - deny, defy, deflect, denounce - is unconscionable. Feel free to quote me.
And it is
Why does the US always go to war with everything except homelessness and racism?
We're not in a culture war, we're in a race war with the most racist, corrupt man in the U.S.!!!!
Plez they use them flags as a symbol of their hate ! You r the one that keeps encouraging people to show their ignorance and well as start a race war for nothing 🤬
Head Maggot
It is
First of all you dumbshit...it's freedom of expression...not speech and yes it is....but if you fly one, be ready for the butt whooping you are gonna get!
This is what he wanted all along. He believes it is his ticket to winning. Turning people against each other.
Yes, we are. All by design by the democratic socialist party they have become. Look at all the tearing down of statues. The lawlessness people are getting away with.
America deserves better
To glorify past breaches of Human Rights is not in the best interest of humanity.
Racism isn't a 'culture war' it is RACISM. The majority of the country believes we should be fighting to be a more perfect union & giving equality to ALL! The term culture war is a stupid excuse to be a bigot.
Committing sewercide?
He is a psychopath.
America vs Trump
Traitor is not a culture.
So if he doesn’t mind flag’s since it’s freedom of speech then I can fly a fuck Trump flag no?
There is no bottom to his scum bucket...
This time he’s right. It is freedom of speech. For citizens. Any government facility should fly the US flag only.
Fixed it!:
He’s just dying to lose in November
I really hope he didn’t actually say this. Kneeling during the NA is freedom of speech too...
Trump demands all schools open on time and the kids will say the pledge of allegiance to the Confederacy
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should
Such a patriotic, law & order person as Trump should see Confederate battle flag as open defiance of our nation & flag. By his logic kneeling during National Anthem would also be free speech. He's fomenting a toxic culture & race war like in 2016. He can't win on his record.
So the confederate flag is freedom of speech, but anything that says Black Lives Matter is a symbol of hate. Got it. And no, he’s not a racist at all. lol
Absolutely, it’s their 1st Amendment Right !! Liberals are HYPOCRITES
Screw the COVID-19. There is a more serious plague sweeping the nation. It's called DEMS-2020 but the good news is we can eradicate most of it in November. The history of our nation may not recover from this plague. I propose duct tape on the mouths of Dems to stop this outbreak.
Old white male born into privilege in Queens, New York supports Confederacy. RacistInChief bunkerbabytrump
Donald Trump is feeding the country bullshit by the truckload, while he pillages the treasury and serves Putin.
On the one hand glad to see the President all in on freedom of speech.On the other hand his track record suggests a cynical temporary use of an ideal to rationalize racist behavior
Still Stuck-On-Stupidity
He’s just supporting idolatry.
Jack_Avondale He can fuck himself.
It absolutely is. I hate it but it IS
He’s counting on these guys to take up arms for him if he is defeated in November I am afraid. They love flying the Confederate flags!
Not what you said in 2015 when you said the Confederate Flag should come down and placed in a Museum.
Nope this story needs some weed.. Less hate more weed y'all
Freedom of Speech is ALL Speech not only the one that doesn’t offend you. What if you were told you can’t fly the Rainbow Flag or the BLM Flag? All you imbeciles are fighting to have YOUR RIGHTS taken AWAY from you. Think about that! FreedomOfSpeech
Cover Jo. Stop being non informative. Jorgensen4POTUS JoJorgensen2020
He is really going to Double down on the hate ?
For the KKK
Freedom of speech? Alrighty then go to hell.
It is, and it is.
We should just stop posting everything this lunatic says and does. It's feeding into his psychosis.
He's not wrong.
But flying the Nazi flag is perfectly legal
It's a rag of treason, and the only war is the one you are pushing for in the United States.
Someone tell him to shut the f up already
realDonaldTrump really, wtf is wrong with you!
Because it is. We did reconcile w the South
trumps reform school was founded by a former confederate soldier after the civil war. Speaks volumes don’t it.
Then Trump should run for to be president of the Confederacy and leave the United States alone. He’s a scumbag and a loon.
It is freedom of speech. Just like burning a flag, putting a cross in urine, kneeling during the national anthem or questioning the government. In some places YOU CANT DO THAT.
One country, one flag
Did Kaepernick have freedom of speech when he knelt during the anthem?
Is Rap music that uses racist language and degrades women considered freedom of speech? U all are talking about a flag that represents history but no one is talking about about removing this type of music. Why ABC News?
Come on ABC, supporting freedom of speech does NOT mean support for the message. The very purpose of the first amendment is to allow speech we disagree with. This point has to be made to a news organization? Sad.
I'd rather he talk about the current 'class war' going on...rich get richer, poor are forced to run the country during a pandemic and keep getting poorer. Stop bailing out his rich buddies
What would you expect from a POS?
I thought he liked winners? They are down 0-2. Lol
42Lives The confederate flag belongs in the same burn pile as Trumps political career. Never forget BountyGate
After Trump is FIRED, the Republican Party can keep their mouths shut on every issue. They let this president run a muck under their party name and stood by him through it all . Put them ALL in jail!!!!
Now we know he’s doubled down on being racist for his platform...
realDonaldTrump Idiocracy idiot idiotinthewhitehouse DumbDonald DUMBASSDONALD ResignNow ResignNowTrump GTFO WorstPresidentInHistory
Donald Trump knows these idiots are the ones that might vote for him. Trump is disgraceful. Please help get him out of the White House.
Guy from Queens says confederate flag is free speech but wants to punish people burning the American flag which the Supreme Court has already said is free speech...🤷♂️
If burning a US flag or flying a communist flag is free speech then I guess he’s right..
Not the right thing to do. Why divide the country and make America weaker?
Trump will be remembered as the most racist president.
What an absolute disgrace to the country and humanity
He just opened the door for burning the confederate flag.
It is freedom of speech and expression.
It’s actually the definition of freedom of speech.
I think he should have called it a Southern Mural and taking it down from someone who has it displayed a HateCrime. From a friend of people who started painting over a BLM message, painted on a ROAD!
Wtf is wrong with this idiot?
May as well be. What’s good for the goose....
Anything to avoid answering why he hasn’t retaliated against Russia for the bounty on our military or any other questions about his fuck ups. He wants it to be a culture war in the US.
Grandpa needs to take his meds.
Not when it is state or federally funded and not if it is a privately owned business that doesn’t want it on their property or in their platform
Let him. It’s a losing strategy. Don’t get upset about it. Calmly expose Trump’s immorality and hypocrisy.
Major media outlets are unwatchable. The blatant lies, propaganda and hatred spewed has breached a criminal divide. It’s literally killing people. What they are doing is an assault on the American people and our rights in a constitutional republic.They should be held accountable.
Is there no bottom with this guy?
According to YOUR article, this is about NASCAR .....but as usual....FakeNewsMedia
So is wearing a white hood and spouting hate is free speech. Still doesn't make it right in a civilised world.
So racists should be able to do their thing and employers have the right to tell women what they can/can’t do with their bodies. The irony of the radical right.
Trump's a flag flying racist. Let me go get my surprise face.
Trump is a racist his daddy was a racist kkk member and donnie is still trying to please his daddy.
He’s right. The cancel culture must be dismantled and defunded. They are these little totalitarians running around saying, not only is my way the right way it’s the only way or else. The best way to stop them is to quit giving in to them and just say no. 👮♂️🗽🇺🇸
RIIIIIIIIIIGHT
By end of next week he says race war book it.
As wrong as some people think the Confederate flag is, Trump is correct.
Liberals have never come to grips with the FACT that freedom of speech means even if you don't agree with that speech. Instead, they believe in freedom of their speech and cancel all others. Sad that those that claim virtue are actually the fascists!
That would be the only freedom connected to that flag. It’s the mark of the traitorous army that was created to stop the freedom of a large group of people.
Whether you like it or not, he's right. Liberals, especially the fake liberals need to remind themselves that it is the speech you hate that needs to be protected the most & if you don't your actions are un-American & anti-constitutional.
You Fuk wits voted him in, now’s you chance too vote the biggest joke out. Big Aussie legend once said don’t say do, do something. You get that. !!!!
Another good one . Your headline is misleading yet again when you watch your own video. It was about a plane flying by with a flag on the back. You are good at generalizing things and changing contexts. Keep stoking the flames and pushing racial divisions.
Flying Nazi flag in America is also freedom of speech. Is that what he wants? He’s in a deep hole and keeps digging deeper everyday. Go Donald!
OrangeBrainDead traitor
ABC doesn’t get to decide what is and isn’t freedom of speech!
Well the US is in a culture war, and flying a flag whether its confederate, or US flag, or any other flag is making a statement which should be protected under freedom of speech.
Of course he did. It distracts you from reporting on Putin funded Taliban killing our soldiers. It distracts from 130,000 people killed by the incompetence of realDonaldTrump. Eye on the ball, folks!
Poor misguided soul.
Trump is a 'Proud Nationalist' which means he is a NAZI. Why do you have someone who is Raping the Constitution in Office? GOP remove him NOW!
We lost our freedom of speech
864511320
Flags talk wow
He’s right - it is. Still, it’s kind of sad that the President of the United States of America does not understand what that actually means. Nor what the confederate flag actually stands for.
How can anyone in this government think the racism that drips from this mans mouth is right in anyway? Systemic racism is real and the war on blacks have been over four hundred years without retaliation whites are in a war because of the hate in their hearts
realDonaldTrump , correct me if I'm wrong. Kneeling in peaceful protest during the national anthem is wrong and traitorous, but flying the flag of another country is not? Do you not know that the Conf. flag was created when states wanted to from their own union?
It is free speech. Ain't cool speech, though.
If citizens are allowed flag burning then they can damn sure have any flag they want!
Dishonest narrative
realDonaldTrump Of course You said that!!!! We know you have a white robe and hood in storage!!!!! Just wear it!!!!
What a joker
Distraction! Wake up America.
Why are you allowed to to burn the flag?
He does things like this all the time, smoke and mirrors, says or post something so you don’t talk about what he wants to brush under the table.
Trump is a fraud and the true virus in this country. 👎🏼
It is
It obviously is freedom of speech you fricken a-holes. The whole point of freedom of speech is to protect speech and expression that not everyone likes or agrees with. The founding fathers weren't trying to safeguard snowflakes from having their feelings hurt.
culture revolution
Citizens have the right to fly that flag as much as others can fly a flag from Uganda for all I care. A lack of ethics, compassion, and empathy are the bigger issues. As an example, this book just came out looking at the plight of the working man:
Thats why he never walks alone hes nothing more then a
You call burning the American flag free speech.....
Defends the Confederate flag. Says nothing about Russian bounties on American troops. Sounds about right.
No moral compass.
Flying any flag is freedom of speech just like burning any flag is freedom of speech. If we as a society lose that right we are no better than China, the old Soviet Union, Iran, or Nazi Germany. Freedom of speech is a founding principal of our country.
Trump is a culturewarPresident
He doesn't understand. This isn't how any of this works.
Whatever you think about the Confederate flag it is freedom of speech--something which must be protected for ALL.--even those symbols we don't like. Criticism is one thing -- banning a speech symbol is against free speech values.
If Jo Jorganson says burning the American Flag is ok because it’s freedom of speech, then flying the confederate flag is also.
Goes to show how stupid Donald Trump is. He does not remember his history with the confederate flag lost in the Civil War. It’s not freedom of speech it’s racism!
Omg. realDonaldTrump has yet again proved himself being a racist.
How Black Trump Supporters are Getting Played.
The flag isn’t banned by law. It is banned (or not banned) by individual institutions who have the freedom to ban (or not ban) it.
Whether you like it or not whether you think it’s a symbol of hate it is freedom of speech you can’t pick and choose what you think freedom of speech is by emotion
FakeNews
Trump only wants votes
On this one Trump is correct. US is in a 'cultural war'. A war between liberals vs conservatives. The ending won't be good.
So he did ants freedom of hate speech?
trump is an abomination!! He doesn’t believe in the rights of anyone but himself, but he’ll appear to side with anyone who will fight to keep him in power!!
Trump cares more about protecting the Confederate flag than our childrens’ lives. Let that sink in.
Wow so not surprised!!!
Has anyone told TraitorTrump that the Confederates lost
But painting BLM on a street is not SMH!
RacistInChief
This is America's flag 🇺🇸. Racist Trump and his racist cult are the only ones manufacturing a culture war. They'll lose, again.
Trump2020 ✊
White supremacy is protected under free speech? This seems like a white world rule and not an actual depiction of the thoughts and mindsets of the multicultural demographic that actually makes up this nation.
Confederates were trying to destroy US.They were in a war against US.There is nothing cultural about treason.Freedom of speech?Please.
“Freedom of speech, just watch what you say” - Ice T
Well, it is
Trump in dire need of a war to bolster his re-election campaign declares a culture war. As he incites his base to arms, will he declare emergency powers and void the coming election ? Yes the GOP sure knows how to govern!
Flying federate flag= free speech; Reporting his words as he said them= enemy of the people
realDonaldTrump So is burning the flag.... but you’re against THAT “FREEDOM OF SPEECH” TrumpIsANationalDisgrace
You spelled FreeDumb wrong.
🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
Because it is.
Seems like Trump is a radical right-wing Republican.
He just keeps looking for a talking point.
Journal Day 191 2020AC (After Covid) - Went 2 another boring Klan rally. So bored all we talk about is dusty old statues guns & flags. Had bologna cake & hydroxy smoothie today. Excited 2 be going bck 2 skool. Klan can't even TikTok 👌🤦🏻♀️. boredinthehouse inthehousebored'
We are at a race war thanks to you! You condoning this is your fault!
He and his followers are proud of flying the flag of treason against the United States.
So still don’t think trump racist huh? Read about the confederacy.
Y’all get distracted with just about anything don’t take everything so literal especially not what & every news station they have a job to get views and collect a check.
It’s his big “look over here” move. He doesn’t want people asking about the Russian bounties, he doesn’t want people questioning the Covid death toll. He wants to make his base believe he’s still for their back.
Problems never go with him. It's China, or Who, or EU. But opening schools is a must. He is like the Queen of Hearts in Alice.
I'm so tired of that Stupid Finger, :/
Yet protesting is wrong and condemned
45 is distracting in any way he can to hope the bounty atrocity fades away. And he must be a bit nervous about the expected ruling on his financial records on Thursday.
Ahhh. Noooooo
If he has so much conviction then fly the flag in the Whitehouse and when he goes on TV in the background. Yep thought so.
For all of you who say he is losing 👇This 7/9/20 10 minutes ago
ABC, VERY GOOD article! As we forget that back in 2015 Donald Trump was once for the removal of the Confederate Symbol, VERY GOOD SUMMATION “DISTRACTION”. Donald continues to play his 2016 Political game of “Look over HERE America, FETCH!” HOWEVER the Pandemic doesn’t play games!
the Confederate States of America killed 200,000 United States soldiers. The President honors the flag of those that killed members of the US army and does nothing while Russia pays mercenaries to kill US soldiers. Thats not supporting the troops by any definition.
Adolf H. Trump will prevent the election and make America as a serious trading partner ridiculous and unacceptable. He brought America to the grave.
The killing of George Floyd was designed by Trump. The reason we are in a culture war is because trump forced it upon the U.S. From before he was elected, trump started baiting maga fish into hating anyone who was not them. It didn't help 30% unemployed made millions desperate.
let him diarrhea on that hill
It is.
He is Pretty correct it seems
But it say hate to some
Republicans will never recover from him.
It is .
I don't think there is a decent person in this picture. As long as these people are at the top of the country, discrimination, disparity issues, coronaviruses, and the crisis of war will not go away.
This is total bullshit propaganda from ABC, as usual.
Further proof he's a racist with too much power.
He'd burn everything to ground to save his own neck.
The side that trump leads is gonna get the worst of this “war”.
So is “Black Lives Matter”. But you realDonaldTrump call it racist. Why don’t you call it “freedom of speech”? VP GOP TheJusticeDept senatemajldr SenateGOP IvankaTrump PressSec WhiteHouse
Was it PATRIOTIC, to fire upon OLD GLORY, at Fort Sumter?
I'm actually vexed by that comment ! It's a flag ! Vexiologist around the world unite!
He is the same person that changed Kaepernick kneeling police brutality, too kneeling against the flag and the people that fought for this country. WHAT IS IT WITH TRUMP AND FLAGS. this man is sewing hatred. He did not turn NASCAR against a Bubba, so now it is culture war
Freedom of Racism😔😒
Donny is a white supremacist just like his creepy criminal father
These tweets are garbage, ABC. Be better.
POS
Maybe he's trying to incite a civil war so he can declare Marshall law and cancel the election
It IS freedom of speech. Censorship should not be allowed in a free state. The left's agenda is taking away our freedoms, while BLM wants to abolish Police. The left's agenda is using BLM. Think about it, how are you going to enforce censorship? You'll need more authority
🇺🇸 “This war is for the soul of America.” 🇺🇸
Because.... it is! This isn't China What's curious is why are you NOT reporting that fact as ruled on by SCOTUS time and time again?
What next ? Is realDonaldTrump going to try to change our country’s name from USA to Confederate States of America ? AmericaOrTrump DividerInChief
He is so crazy it is unbelievable!
Wasn't it just 2015 he was saying to put Confederate flags in museums? That there was no use in showing them?
Trump started this racist firestorm and now he is contradicting himself. What gives?
Is in bad taste .but since we have a racist president who doesnt see it!!!
Then so is Antifa
Yet someone ones to release a book that says things he doesn’t like and FoS is out the window.
It is freedom of speech, I'm not in love with the idea of the confederate flag, but it is peoples right to be ignorant.
wth
Should be culture revolution, which breaks the old system and build a new one.
He’s manufacturing a culture war. He’s the only person in it. Out of touch. Irrelevant. Distraction tactics are so 2016. We are just not interested any more. We have moved on. Stop trying to destroy us.because you won’t succeed. America is much better than Trump.
It is freedom of speech
Wow what a fucknut.
The flag is lame but he’s not wrong.
How desperate to cling to WhiteSupremacy as a mechanism for fighting a 'culture war' during a global pandemic killing more Americans than most wars and a global financial collapse of epic proportions. He is our undoing if he remains in power. Biden2020
This guy won't be happy til he start up the Civil War again !!!
They lost civil war and they have 0 chance now
🤦🏻♂️
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