Former President Donald Trump Downplays Charlottesville Rally as “Peanut” Compared to Israel-Gaza Protests

Former President Donald Trump sparked controversy on Wednesday when he compared a deadly neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville to current protests of the Israel-Gaza war, calling the former a “peanut” in comparison.

In a social media post on his platform Truth Social, Trump criticized President Biden for citing the Charlottesville event as a motivation to run for president, stating that Biden has done a “terrible job” if that was the case. Trump’s comments come as politicians from both parties raise concerns about incidents of antisemitism amid mass demonstrations criticizing Israel.

The Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville in 2017, which Trump referred to as a “peanut,” was a low point in his presidency. The event turned deadly when a self-professed neo-Nazi drove his car into counterprotesters, killing one woman and injuring many others.

While police are investigating assaults potentially motivated by tensions over the Israel-Gaza war, no deaths have been reported in connection with the protests against Israel in the United States. Trump’s remarks on the handling of the Israel-Gaza war by Biden drew criticism, with Trump suggesting that Biden hates Israel, Jews, and Palestinians.

This latest controversy adds to Trump’s history of divisive comments on sensitive issues, including his previous remarks on Jewish American voters and his handling of the Charlottesville rally. The ongoing debate over Trump’s statements underscores the deep political divisions in the country and the challenges of addressing complex international conflicts.