Nine per cent of Americans say holding neo-Nazi or white supremacist views is acceptable, according to a new poll.

The Washington Post ABC poll was carried out in the wake of the deadly racially-charged violence which erupted at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville earlier this month. If extrapolated to the entire US population, nine per cent would equate to 22 million people.

According to the survey, 83 per cent of Americans think holding neo-Nazi views is unacceptable.

Thirty-nine per cent said they believe the “alt-right” holds white supremacist or neo-Nazi views whereas 21 per cent believe they do not. On the other hand, thirty-nine per cent of those surveyed said they had no opinion on the matter.

The survey, which found President Donald Trump’s overall approval rating of 37 per cent was not substantially different to his 36 per cent mark in July, was conducted from 16-20 August and from speaking to 1,014 adults across the United States.

President Trump’s response to the ugly clashes between Neo-Nazis, KKK members and “alt-right” supporters and anti-fascists at Charlottesville, which culminated in Heather Heyer being killed after a car ploughed into a crowd of anti-fascist protesters, has led to him being condemned by members of Congress, leading business executives and military leaders.

President Trump pointed blame at “both sides” for the violence, drawing a moral equivalence between white supremacists and anti-fascists.

While the problem of white supremacy has gained increasing attention in the wake of Charlottesville, it has of course been an ongoing and persistant problem in the states. The murder of Ms Heyer, the 32-year-old anti-fascist protester who was killed, is the most recent in a spate of killings which have raised the spectre of far-right violence.

In February, an Indian-born engineer was shot dead in a Kansas bar, with witnesses telling reporters the gunman shouted “go back to your country” before opening fire.

Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Show all 9 1 /9 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Protesters clash and several are injured White nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. A state of emergency is declared, August 12 2017 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Trump supporters at the protest A white nationalist demonstrator walks into Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville State police stand ready in riot gear Virginia State Police cordon off an area around the site where a car ran into a group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Militia armed with assault rifles White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' with body armor and combat weapons evacuate comrades who were pepper sprayed after the 'Unite the Right' rally was declared a unlawful gathering by Virginia State Police. Militia members marched through the city earlier in the day, armed with assault rifles. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee stands behind a crowd of hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' during the 'Unite the Right' rally 12 August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are protesting the removal of the statue from Emancipation Park in the city. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Racial tensions sparked the violence White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' exchange insults with counter-protesters as they attempt to guard the entrance to Lee Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally Getty Violence on the streets of Charlottesville A car plows through protesters A vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, some life-threatening, and one death. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville President Donald Trump speaks about the ongoing situation in Charlottesville, Virginia from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He spoke about "loyalty" and "healing wounds" left by decades of racism.

In May, Jeremy Joseph Christian spewed anti-Muslim “hate speech” to a young woman wearing a hijab on a train and her friend. After other passengers intervened, he pulled out a knife and slashed their throats, with two people left killed and a third seriously injured.

He was charged with murder, attempted murder, possession of a weapon and intimidation but sought to defend his actions in court. He shouted slogans such as: "You call it terrorism. I call it patriotism” and could also be heard shouting "Death to the enemies of America".

"Leave this country if you hate our freedom, death to Antifa," he also said, referring to the commonly used shorthand for the anti-fascist movement.

The so-called “alt-right” movement has gained increasing attention since Donald Trump’s presidential bid and his time in the White House. While President Trump has sought to distance himself from the movement - which has been accused of racism, antisemitism and misogyny - its members have rallied behind him and hailed him as their leader.

Steve Bannon, the former executive chair of far-right online publication Breitbart News which he described as “the platform for the alt-right” last year, was fired as President Trump’s White House Chief Strategist at the end of last week.

Since becoming the latest top Trump aide to leave their post, Mr Bannon has returned straight to be the head of Breitbart. In the hours after his departure from the Trump administration became public, Breitbart proclaimed the return of their “populist hero” on its homepage.