![Chrissy Teigen and husband John Legend both condemned US President Donald Trump on Twitter.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170820175022im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/p/4/t/v/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gxxyic.png/1502930564618.jpg)
President Trump stunned newsmakers, political analysts and celebrities alike on Tuesday when giving a press conference at Trump Tower during which he defended the alt-right in Charlottesville.
Despite denouncing hate groups in scripted remarks the day prior, "I think there's blame on both sides," said Trump on Tuesday. "I don't have any doubt about it and you don't have any doubt it either."
He continued: "What about the alt-left that came charging at the, as you say, the alt right? Do they have any semblance of guilt? ...What about the fact that they came charging -- they came charging with clubs in their hands, swinging clubs?"
Trump added, "You had a group on one side that was bad and you had a group on the other side that was also very violent. Nobody wants to say it, but I will say it right now."
On Twitter, celebrities reacted swiftly.
There was disbelief
"I haven't seen anything that crazy since Tyson bit Holyfield," tweeted Jimmy Kimmel.
"I can NOT believe what I'm watching on television right now. How is this man our president? Honestly?" asked Mandy Moore.
"That press conference kinda just blew up my brain. Everyone should watch that entire thing from beginning to end. It's truly shocking," tweeted Chris Evans.
"I feel like... I don't know what I feel anymore. Shock. Been there. Disgust. Done that. Rage. Ongoing. This is bizarre and revolting," wrote Ava DuVernay.
The President's most shameful weekend was just extended indefinitely
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) August 15, 2017
W/o a prepared statement, this Pres says what he really believes: Equating neo-Nazis to those protecting civil rights is disgraceful & crazy
— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) August 15, 2017
Trump is like, actually racist. He isn't "saying the wrong thing". He is actually racist and means this. Holy shit lol what a fucking idiot
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) August 15, 2017
Several stars called for action.
Lady Gaga immediately ran a poll via Twitter.
For the Black Community, tell us ways the non-racist white community who loves u can do better to help influence the country? #HowWeDoBetter
— xoxo, Gaga (@ladygaga) August 15, 2017
Do you think @realDonaldTrump @POTUS saying "both sides are to blame" in #Charlottesville makes him a racist supporter? Yes or no?
— xoxo, Gaga (@ladygaga) August 15, 2017
"Impeach this bad man," wrote Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.
"Sound the alarm. This country is on fire. And the arsonist is the President," wrote Josh Gad.
impeach
— hayley from Paramore (@yelyahwilliams) August 15, 2017
And a few offered quips
"One good thing about that abomination of a speech: it's now impossible for any Trump supporter to pretend they don't know what he is," riffed JK Rowling.
"I guess I'm a genius because I actually had a bad feeling about this guy quite a while ago," wrote B.J. Novak.
"One of the most transparent lies Trump told today is that he likes to wait for the facts before he makes a statement. Hahahahahaahaha," tweeted John Legend.
"Look there was violence on both sides" - Trump on WW2 probably
— josh groban (@joshgroban) August 15, 2017
USA Today