George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush release statement condemning racism after Charlottesville

In the aftermath of deadly protests in Charlottesville, former presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush released a joint statement on Wednesday condemning racism.

"America must always reject racial bigotry, anti-Semitism, and hatred in all forms," the statement reads. "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 statement from the former father-and-son Republican presidents comes after President Trump blamed "two sides" for the Charlottesville violence while taking questions during a Tuesday press conference at Trump Tower in New York.

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"What about the 'alt-left' that came charging at the, as you say, the 'alt-right'? Do they have any semblance of guilt?” Trump said while answering a press question. "What about the fact they came charging — that they came charging with clubs in their hands, swinging clubs? Do they have any problem? I think they do."

The 45th U.S. president has since faced a wave of backlash for his backtracking in his comments on the deadly protests in Charlottesville, and the White House has gone as far as to circulate talking points on how the GOP should stick to messaging that Trump was "entirely correct" in his stance on the matter.