Fox News host Shepard Smith on Wednesday discussed Republicans' reluctance to comment on President Donald Trump's press conference on the violence in Charlottesville, Va. over the weekend, pointing out how unusual it is for them to avoid appearing on Fox.
"Our booking team—and they're good—reached out to Republicans of all stripes across the country today," Smith said. "Let's be honest, Republicans often don't really mind coming on Fox News Channel."
"We worked very hard at it throughout the day and we were unsuccessful," Smith added. "Of those who are condemning the president's condemnable actions, I've not heard any prominent leaders, former presidents, members of the House or the Senate use his name while speaking in generalities."
His guest, Washington Post reporter Philip Bump, agreed but did name one senator who rebuked Trump by name.
"The statement from Lindsey Graham did refer to Trump specifically," Bump said. "But yes, you're correct. Paul Ryan, for example, speaker of the House, issued a statement that addressed it obliquely. Former Presidents Bush did the same thing. They referred to generally the statements about hate."
"A lot of people are loath to actually address Trump directly," Bump added. "I think part of that is because the issue at stake here is whether or not racism and hate should be part of the political conversation. It seems to me that what people are focusing on is making that distinction, no, these are not valid political ideas."
"In that being the priority, particularly for members of Donald Trump's own party, makes some level of sense," Bump said.