U.S President, Donald Trump has sought to portray himself as the true victim of the deadly events in Charlottesville, launching an all-out assault on the media and branding journalists who “do not like our country” as the true source of division in America.

Speaking in front of thousands of supporters in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump pulled out copies of three of his own speeches and rehashed what he'd said about white supremacists gathering around a statute of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in the Virginia university town on Aug 13.

One person was killed and 19 were hurt in Charlottesville when a speeding car slammed into a throng of counterprotesters to a "Unite the Right" rally. More than a dozen other injuries were reported in the violence surrounding the rally.

“It’s time to expose the crooked media deceptions and to challenge the media for their role in fomenting divisions and yes, by the way, they are trying to take away our history and our heritage.” The crowd – some scowling, some laughing – turned and jeered at journalists in the media enclosure and chanted: “CNN sucks! CNN sucks!”

Even as he spoke protesters outside the Phoenix Convention Center had gathered to voice anger at his presence. Police used smoke bombs and teargas on the crowds after plastic bottles were reportedly thrown.