On Tuesday, President Donald Trump launched a passionate defense of white supremacists who attended a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, arguing that there was blame to be found on both sides.

Trump, who made the remarks during a press conference that at times became hostile, attempted to shift some of the blame to what he called the alt-left. For many people, it was the first time theyd heard the phrase usedat least from someone of Trumps stature.

What about the alt-left that came charging at, as you say, the alt-right? Trump asked. Let me ask you this: What about the fact they came chargingthat they came charging with clubs in their hands, swinging clubs? Do they have any problem? I think they do.

The idea of trying to create an alt-left to compare to the much-criticized alt-right likely makes sense from Trumps apparent perspective. It creates an equal foil to share the blame of the shocking violence in Charlottesville. But is there really such a thing as the alt-left?

Theres no such thing as the alt-left. To understand why, you first need to understandthe extremist movement within the Republican party.

The idea of the alt-right is largely credited to Richard Spencer, a white nationalist. The so-called alt-right became a force in the Republican Party and overwhelmingly supported Trump in his quest to be president. The term alt-right took hold in the late 2000s, shortly after President Barack Obama took office.

Heres what theSouthern Poverty Law Center, which has extensively tracked the movement over the years, defines the alt-right as:

The Alt-Right is a loose set of far-right ideologies at the core of which is a belief that white identity is under attack through policies prioritizing multiculturalism, political correctness and social justice, and must be preserved, usually through white-identified online communities and physical ethno-states.

The group found its identity on the internet and was cultivated websites such as neo-Nazi outlet the Daily Stormer and Breitbart News, the website formerly run by Trump adviser Steve Bannon.

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There is no equivalent organized movement on the left that espouses extremist views comparable to those held by members of the alt-right. Instead, the idea of the alt-left is frequently used by far-right Fox News pundit Sean Hannity to describe more radical liberals and Trump opponents.

Also, unlike the alt-right, alt-left wasnt coined by members of the movement, but rather, its used as an insult against people who oppose far-right ideologies.

Oren Segal, the director of the Anti-Defamation Leagues Center on Extremism, told CNN that the idea of an alt-left is a made-up term.

While there are radical members of the left, the idea of an alt-left is incorrectly conflated with the antifa (anti-fascist) movementmembers of which have been seen at protests at Trumps inauguration and other events.

Antifa, which sits on the extreme far-left of the political spectrum, is a decentralized network of people from varying degrees of political leanings. Their goal is to oppose what they see as fascist elements in society, including the alt-right. Antifa activists have at times engaged in violence, which has made them a villain in the eyes of some right-leaning groups and a thorn in the heel of many Democrats, who do not want to be associated with their more provocative methods and do not appreciate the black cloud the group puts over otherwise peaceful protests.

Antifa does not hold cohesive political views beyond opposing fascism, which makes it far different from the alt-rights pro-white, bigoted platform.

Essentially, Trump is trying to create a foil for the alt-rightwhere many of his most vehement supporters have planted their flag.

By trying to create the idea of a just-as-radical side on the left, it lends credence to his argument that there is blame on both sides for the violence that erupted in Charlottesville. Also, its an easy way to charge up supporters.

On Tuesday night,Hannity backed up Trumps statements during his press conference by continuing to push the alt-left narrative,implying that the counterprotesters in Charlottesville were part of the alt-left.

The people that provoked this, yeah Ill agree, they were white supremacists, they are the ones who are most responsible, Hannity said. This brings out a morally justifiable anger in peoplepeople who are that ignorant. But it does not give these alt-left protesters, doesnt give people of good conscious even, the right to attack them, punch them, hit them, et cetera.

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Yes. The term has begun spreading among those who have spoken out in support of Trump or the alt-right. Here are some examples:

Given how powerful the term is in creating a false equivalency between the alt-right and fringe extremists on the far left, you can expect to hear much more about the alt-left in the future. Just remember: It doesnt really exist.

*First Published: Aug 16, 2017, 4:22 pm

Andrew Wyrich is the deputy tech editor at the Daily Dot. Andrew has written for USA Today, NorthJersey.com, and other newspapers and websites. His work has been recognized by the Society of the Silurians, Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE), and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).

Originally posted here:

What Is Alt-Left? Here's What You Really Need to Know