President Trump opened his speech to supporters in Phoenix by slamming the media again for its coverage of his reaction to the Charlottesville protests and said his followers are united in "love" for others.

"You always understood what Washington, D.C., did not. Our movement is a movement built on love. It is love for his fellow citizens who have been left behind, love for every American child who deserves a chance to have all of their dreams come true," Trump told attendees Tuesday night.

"What happened in Charlottesville strikes at the core of America. And tonight, this entire arena stands united in forceful condemnation of the thugs who perpetrate hatred and violence," Trump said.

The president pulled out a copy and read from his original statement in response to the violence at a rally in support of a Confederate monument in central Virginia.

"Here's what I said," Trump opened. "'We're closely following the terrible events unfolding in Charlottesville, Va.' This is me speaking. 'We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry, and violence.' That's me speaking on Saturday right after the events. So I'm condemning the strongest possible terms -- egregious display of hatred, bigotry, violence.'"

"They had it on initially, but then when they talked, 'He didn't say it fast enough? He didn't do it on time. Why did it take a day? He must be a racist,'" Trump said, acting as some media figures.

Trump has repeatedly criticized the media's coverage of his response to an Aug. 12 rally and counter protest in which one woman died and 19 others were injured when a car plowed through a crowd of counter-protesters.