Trump draws intense criticism for releasing ad naming Dems, media his enemies — but not racism

President Donald Trump and his presidential campaign came under intense scrutiny on Sunday after a new campaign ad showed Democrats and members of the mainstream media as his "enemies."

The ad, aptly titled, "Let the President Do His Job," touts Trump's accomplishments in office while castigating his "enemies" for "obstructing" his agenda and "attacking" him on a day-to-day basis.

"Democrats obstructing, the media attacking our president, career politicians standing in the way of success," a narrator says in the ad before listing Trump's presidential accomplishments. "The president's enemies don't want him to succeed, but Americans are saying 'Let President Trump do his job.'"

When the ad mentions Trump's "enemies" it shows a collage of mainstream media personalities such as CNN's Anderson Cooper, Don Lemon, Dana Bash and Brian Stelter; MSNBC's Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, Rachel Maddow, Christopher Hayes; ABC's George Stephanopoulos; NBC's Chuck Todd; and even April Ryan, the White House correspondent for the American Urban Radio Network.

The ad predictably led to widespread criticism and backlash, particularly because it came amid a weekend where racially charged violence ravaged Charlottesville, Virginia. Trump had earlier come under scrutiny because he failed to immediately denounce white supremacism during a news conference on Saturday when addressing the violence.

Ryan took to Twitter to put into words the sentiment surrounding the ad: "Sad day I am singled out as an enemy of the White House as this racial hate is going on just for asking real questions and speaking truth."

"This outrageous! I am no enemy just a journalist asking questions of presidents for 20 years," she added in a separate tweet.

Others were just as quick to denounce Trump for the timeliness of the ad:

At a time when our country begs for unity, Trump releases a horrific attack ad labeling Ds as enemies. Disgraceful. https://t.co/rQww0dYB47

— DCCC (@dccc) August 14, 2017

Trump's new ad calls Democrats & media his "enemies"

but the President won't use that word about Nazis and White Supremacists https://t.co/AOo1RJp2Zv

— Jesse Ferguson (@JesseFFerguson) August 13, 2017

WTF? Seriously... Can't denounce actual Nazi's in American streets, but have time to golf and make campaign ads for 2020? Worst Prez ever!

— Ellie McCragg (@EllieMcCragg) August 13, 2017

Shame on you! 1 day after a tragic event , you come out with this attack ad! Shame @realDonaldTrump

— Sophia (@sobsa) August 13, 2017

Less than a day after a white nationalist protest turned deadly in Virginia, the Trump campaign is out w/ an ad attacking Dems, the media. pic.twitter.com/871pz4W3Bp

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 13, 2017

So, I'm guessing white supremacists didn't make the "enemies" list?

— Bill Pollock (@WHPollock) August 13, 2017

The gentle timing of a hand grenade, as always

— Drain The Trumps (@DrainTheTrumps) August 13, 2017

Clear that we can't depend on Pres Trump to be a leader in the healing of our nation aftr this or ANY othr future crisis. #Charlottesville

— Nicki (@nickiknowsnada) August 13, 2017

On Monday, Trump denounced racism during a news conference.