Trump Denies White Extremism Rising Threat Despite New Zealand Terror Attacks

TEHRAN (defapress)- US President Donald Trump stated that he doesn’t view white extremism as a rising threat around the world, despite the killing of 49 people at two New Zealand mosques by a white nationalist, attacks that many blamed on the demonization of Muslims by the Trump administration.

News ID: 76227

Date: 16 March 2019 - 14:50

“I don’t really. I think it’s a small group of people that have very, very serious problems,” Trump said at the White House on Friday after he was asked by a reporter if he thought white nationalism is a growing global threat, World News reported.

“I guess if you look at what happened in New Zealand perhaps that’s a case, I don’t know enough about it yet,” he added.

At least one gunman killed 49 people and wounded more than 20 during Friday prayers in New Zealand's worst ever mass shooting.

The Australian gunman, identified as Brenton Tarrant, broadcast live footage of the attack on one mosque in the city of Christchurch, mirroring the carnage played out in video games, after publishing a "manifesto" in which he denounced immigrants, calling them "invaders".

Muslim and civil rights activists have long accused Trump of promoting intolerance with his rhetoric and policies. Trump called for a “total and complete shutdown” of Muslims entering the US during his election campaign.

Experts say the US president’s immigration policies have emboldened far-right groups and white supremacist ideology in the West.

Political and Islamic leaders around the world have expressed disgust at the New Zealand massacre.

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