Charlottesville’s vice mayor repeatedly refused to refer to President Trump by his title during a Tuesday interview because he believes he is behaving in a manner unworthy of the title.
“I believe that 45 did make some strides in regards to specifically condemning the white supremacists and the KKK. I must admit that I was rather disappointed in seeing the tweet that went out last night,” Charlottesville Vice Mayor Wes Bellamy told CNN.
When asked if his repeated use of “45” was intentional or a “quick phrase,” Bellamy, a Democrat, said “that’s just what I call him.”
“I believe that when he begins to act as if he deserves to be in that office, and leads in terms of unifying people, then he will deserve the name of President Trump,” Bellamy added.
He also voiced further frustration in what he views as Trump’s failure to unify the country and slowness to condemn white supremacists.
“I believe that he has not done the things in regards to bringing this country together. He has not done the things in regards to making us a more unified place,” he added.
Bellamy was active in counter-protests to the white supremacist rally throughout the weekend that saw violence and the death of two state police officers and a 32-year-old woman after a car plowed into counter-protesters during Saturday’s rally.
