US President Donald Trump has isolated himself by defending white supremacist violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. His attitude which demonstrates a far-right view was condemned by many on whom he relied for support. The nation’s top business executives, military leaders and Republicans expressed their indignation. Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella said that there was no place in US society for bias and bigotry and condemned Trump for equating white supremacists with counter-protestors. Heads of Apple and Facebook have echoed Nadella’s sentiments. Titans of US industry said that they could no longer serve on two of Trump’s advisory panels. The President had to dissolve the two business councils. America’s military leadership has also spoken out against Trump’s attitude. Five armed services chiefs-of the army, the Air Force and Navy, the marines and the national guard bureau posted statements on social media attacking neo-Nazis and racism in uncompromising terms. It has sapped Trump’s military support to a significant extent. Republican politicians have not lost time in issuing new denunciations of the racial hatred on display in the state of Virginia. It is in the air that some of the President’s top officials are also thinking of quitting. It has been pointed out that Trump’s Presidency may not recover from the shock and doubts have been expressed about whether he is fit for the job. No US President in the past had such crisis swirling around him so soon after his inauguration.
Trump’s foreign policy has also suffered a blow. UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, who had been friendly towards Trump has roundly condemned his attitude on the Charlottesville episode. German Chancellor, Angela Merkel has also denounced his statement on the issue. It flies in the face of reason why Trump has decided to seek isolation at home and abroad in his professed pursuit of ‘America for Americans’ policy.