Hate crimes are surging under the Trump presidency. Maybe there’s a reason.

The FBI is reporting that last year saw the highest increase in hate crimes since 9/11.

Under the Trump presidency hate crimes incidents have spiked by 17 percent this year alone with antisemitic attacks rising by double digits. Trump has repeatedly supported white nationalists, neo-Nazis, and anti-LGBTQ hate groups while holding office.

The massive increase in reported hate crimes has coincided with Trump’s ascendency to the presidency. This is the third year in a row the number of incidents has grown.

While holding office, Trump has expressed support for white nationalists who rioted in Virginia over the removal of a Confederate statue, attacked black football players for protesting police violence, and described Latino asylum seekers as an “invading horde.”

Over the weekend, President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron engaged in a back and forth over Trump’s self-definition as a “nationalist” after Macron publicly chastised the American president at an event marking the end of World War I.

Related: Trump will address anti-LGBT group on anniversary of Pulse shooting

“Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism,” Macron said. “Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism. By saying our interests first, who cares about the others, we erase what a nation holds dearest, what gives it life, what makes it great and what is essential: its moral values.”

“I know there are old demons which are coming back to the surface. They are ready to wreak chaos and death,” he said. “History sometimes threatens to take its sinister course once again.”

As Trump threatened to remove American troops from Europe, Macron also renewed his call for a European military force.

Related: The hate group that hosted Trump today was giving away swag bags with antigay propaganda

In response, Trump taunted Macron on Twitter for France’s defeat in World War II and insinuating that Germany was the true enemy of the French people.

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