George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush release a joint statement urging Americans to 'reject racial bigotry, anti-Semitism, and hatred'

Former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.

(Image credit: SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

published 16 August 2017

On Wednesday, former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush released a joint statement calling on Americans to "always reject racial bigotry, anti-Semitism, and hatred in all forms." "As we pray for Charlottesville, we are reminded of the fundamental truths recorded by that city's most prominent citizen in the Declaration of Independence: We are all created equal and endowed by our Creator with unalienable rights. We know these truths to be everlasting because we have seen the decency and greatness of our country," the former Republican presidents said in the statement.

Though the father and son's statement did not directly mention President Trump, it was released one day after Trump blamed "both sides" for the violent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, over the weekend, insisting that there were "some very fine people" marching alongside the white supremacists and neo-Nazis.