Hosts of a programme on Fox News have claimed that the media - not the Klu Klux Klan or neo-Nazis - are to blame for the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

On 'Fox and Friends,' co-host Pete Hegseth said that "nothing is ever good enough" for the "press" so they would keep pushing Donald Trump on his statements following the protest that resulted in three deaths and dozens of injuries.

Mr Hegseth was referring to the widespread questioning of the President's initial statement following the death of counter-protester Heather Heyer and two Virginia State Police officers, Berke MM Bates and H Jay Cullen.

Mr Trump, ahead of a bill signing regarding the Veterans Administration, blamed "many sides" for the violence and stopped short of condemning the Klu Klux Klan and Nazis present at the rally. He called on the nation to "unite" and "heal wounds" of a problem that had been around for "a long, long time. Not Barack Obama. Not Donald Trump".

One senior administration official said "on background" to reporters that Mr Trump "of course" denounces these groups. Several of the white nationalist protesters were seen wearing pro-Trump gear.

It was not until nearly 48 hours after the incidents that Mr Trump gave a statement at the White House that condemned those groups directly and once again called on the country to come together, adding that "regardless of race, creed, religion, or political party" everyone is American.

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.

Co-host Abby Huntsman said of the mainstream media: "they have an open door now to run with their narrative...in their minds, a lot of them, say 'we can associate the President with these groups'".

"That fits a lot of narrative on the left and of the media. And that is very problematic for society for us to even be talking like that," said Ms Huntsman.

"Of course, because so much of the left sees this world not through America first but through racial identity politics first," Mr Hegseth noted.

The President used what many considered fiery rhetoric on the campaign trail against women, the disabled, the African-American, Hispanic, Latin American, Muslim communities. He also cut federal funding awarded by the Obama administration to groups fighting right-wing violent extremist groups just ahead of the Charlottesville incident.