Protesters were angry at Donald Trump for failing to denounce white supremacists

When the clouds of pepper spray clear from the streets of Phoenix, Americans will survey the wreckage of Donald Trump's latest assault on the rules of American politics.

The uncompromising dispersal of protesters by police was a dramatic end to another extraordinary night in Trump world.

Can there be any more telling image of the simmering temperature of American politics right now than what happened outside of where the President had just been speaking?

Image: Police use tear gas to break up protesters outside the convention centre where Donald Trump spoke

His critics will say he fed those divisions with what he said during 96 strange minutes on stage at the Phoenix Convention Centre.

His attempt to build on the perceived success of his Afghanistan speech the night before collapsed within 10 minutes in Arizona.


He veered from the teleprompter, rarely to return, and unloaded his presidential frustrations.

Trump: Charlottesville response was 'perfect'

The 20 minutes he spent defending his response to Charlottesville and attacking the media was bizarre and dishonest.

To rewrite his own history - neglecting to mention that he blamed "many sides" in his statement on the incident - on a matter so sensitive and fundamental in modern America is being seen as a new low.

That original statement was broadcast live. Everyone saw it. Everyone knows what he said. He knows that everyone knows.

That he accused the media of lying while being so untruthful is baffling.

Trump's changing story on Charlottesville

Most of the rest of his rant was familiar territory but it was delivered in a way that suggests he is a man who wants to get things off his chest.

The presidency is often described as an isolating and lonely place. That is why Trump has now held eight of these campaign rallies - to feel the love from his fans.

But even some of those fans were drifting away before he had finished his speech. They defend him loyally and passionately, but for how much longer?

Image: Donald Trump supporters cheer him on at the campaign rally in Phoenix

After his speech, a pundit on CNN - which Trump had heavily criticised in his speech - questioned whether it was time to discuss the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution.

That allows for the vice-president and other officials to seek the President's removal from office for being mentally unfit.

That is where America is right now.

More pressingly, the country is spectacularly divided. The President talks of bringing unity while acting in a manner that pushes the two sides further apart.

The pepper spray left a bitter taste in the mouths of those of us in its path in Phoenix.

Trump's speech will have had a similar effect for millions of Americans.