Rudolph Giuliani Doubles Down: Says He's No Racist Because Obama Was 'Brought Up By A White Mother'

Rudy Giuliani isn't backing down from his incendiary claim that President Obama "doesn't love America." Instead, he's doubling down.

In the face of a torrent of criticism, Giuliani appeared on Megyn Kelly's FOX News show Thursday night and repeated his accusation.

Kelly asked, "Do you want to apologize for your comment?"

Giuliani replied, "Not at all. I want to repeat it. The reality is, from all that I can see of this president, all that I've heard of him, he apologizes for America, he criticizes America."

Giuliani told The New York Times his remarks were not racist. He said, "Some people thought it was racist. I thought that was a joke, since he was brought up by a white mother, a white grandfather, went to white schools."

Deputy White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest hit back at a press briefing. He said, "It's sad to see when somebody who has attained a certain level of public stature, and even admiration, tarnishes that legacy so thoroughly. I feel sorry for Rudy Giuliani today."

The White House even tweeted a new hashtag: #OBAMALOVESAMERICA. And, it immediately began to trend.

And, when the president addressed the Democratic National Committee in Washington Friday, there were plenty of U.S. flags on stage.