Former presidents Bush condemn bigotry, anti-Semitism

Former US presidents George H W Bush and George W Bush today issued a tough joint statement condemning racial bigotry and anti-Semitism, in a veiled rebuke of Donald Trump.

Yesterday, Trump sparked a political firestorm when he said that counter-protesters appeared to be equally to blame for violence over the weekend at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

"America must always reject racial bigotry, anti Semitism, and hatred in all forms," the father-son former presidents said in a statement issued from Kennebunkport, Maine, where they have a family home.

The statement did not mention Trump by name.