Celebs react in shock to Trump's defense of alt-right

Andrea Mandell | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Trump: Both sides to blame for Charlottesville violence From Trump Tower in New York City, President Trump told reporters that he believed both protesters and counter protesters were to blame for the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

President Trump stunned newsmakers, political analysts and celebrities alike on Tuesday when giving a press conference at Trump Tower during which he defended the alt-right in Charlottesville.

Despite denouncing hate groups in scripted remarks the day prior, "I think there's blame on both sides," said Trump on Tuesday. "I don't have any doubt about it and you don't have any doubt it either."

He continued: "What about the alt-left that came charging at the, as you say, the alt right? Do they have any semblance of guilt? ...What about the fact that they came charging – they came charging with clubs in their hands, swinging clubs?"

Trump added, “You had a group on one side that was bad and you had a group on the other side that was also very violent. Nobody wants to say it, but I will say it right now.”

On Twitter, celebrities reacted swiftly.

There was disbelief

"I haven't seen anything that crazy since Tyson bit Holyfield," tweeted Jimmy Kimmel.

"I can NOT believe what I'm watching on television right now. How is this man our president? Honestly?" asked Mandy Moore.

"That press conference kinda just blew up my brain. Everyone should watch that entire thing from beginning to end. It's truly shocking," tweeted Chris Evans.

"Counter-protestors" is the wrong term. They're heroes. Each one of them is a hero. One of them gave their life for what is right," wrote Kumail Nanjiani.

There is no nuance to Nazism. Good vs evil. Choose your side. — Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) August 15, 2017

"I feel like... I don't know what I feel anymore. Shock. Been there. Disgust. Done that. Rage. Ongoing. This is bizarre and revolting," wrote Ava DuVernay.

"I need a drink. I don't drink," said Questlove.

Several stars called for action

Lady Gaga immediately ran a poll via Twitter.

Do you think @realDonaldTrump @POTUS saying "both sides are to blame" in #Charlottesville makes him a racist supporter? Yes or no? — xoxo, Gaga (@ladygaga) August 15, 2017

"Impeach this bad man," wrote Lin-Manuel Miranda.

"Sound the alarm. This country is on fire. And the arsonist is the President," wrote Josh Gad.

Don Cheadle called the president "dangerous" and said he "needs to be removed."

And a few offered quips

"One good thing about that abomination of a speech: it's now impossible for any Trump supporter to pretend they don't know what he is," riffed J.K. Rowling.

Albert Brooks offered this joke: "Don’t blame Donald Trump. He just found out yesterday the Nazis lost World War II."

I haven't seen anything that crazy since Tyson bit Holyfield @realDonaldTrump — Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) August 15, 2017

"I guess I'm a genius because I actually had a bad feeling about this guy quite a while ago," wrote B.J. Novak.

"One of the most transparent lies Trump told today is that he likes to wait for the facts before he makes a statement. Hahahahahaahaha," tweeted John Legend.