Sen. Tim Scott added his voice Thursday to the chorus of Republican criticism over President Donald Trump’s comments on the racially motivated protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, saying his moral authority was compromised by his statements.
Scott’s criticisms are the latest from Republican senators who have distanced themselves from Trump and his remarks — criticism that has sparked a backlash from Trump on Twitter.
Scott told Vice that he felt the response to Charlottesville from the country was strong, specifically noting the business community’s movement away from Trump’s advisory councils in response to the President’s comments.
“Racism is real. It is alive. It is here. But the response from the vast majority of this country is diametrically opposite of the response in the ’60s, ” Scott said. “We’ve had the United States military, generals, leaders, standing up and rejecting, completely, racism. We’ve had corporate America, which was fairly silent back in the ’60s, standing up very strong, very loud and very proud.”
Scott said that he would work with Trump when they agree and speak out when he disagrees with the President, but he noted that Trump’s political capital has been damaged.
“It is always helpful for the President to have coattails … the President’s coattails are shorter, ” Scott said.
