As protests across Washington D.C turned violent, the leader of an "alt-right" group took a right-hook to the face from a hooded attacker live on TV
Few events in recent history appear to have divided the so-called United States of America in the same manner as Donald Trump's inauguration yesterday.
And the extreme disconnect was more evident than ever when an anti-Trump protester unexpectedly punched the leader of the "alt-right" movement in the face live on television.
White supremacist Richard Spencer was being interviewed as he celebrated the swearing in of the new president in Washington yesterday.
Although he can be heard in the video insisting he's not a racist or a neo-Nazi, Spencer recently made headlines when he finished a speech at an alt-right rally "Hail Trump, hail our people, hail victory!", to which some supporters responded with a Nazi salute.
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He has also previously called for "peaceful ethical cleansing", and runs a non-profit group "dedicated to the heritage, identity, and future of people of European descent in the United States".
The television footage sees Spencer heckled by bystanders asking questions like "are you a neo-Nazi?";, "do you like black people?" and "would you marry a black woman?".
He tries to field off the remarks, repeating that he is not a neo-Nazi and that neo-Nazis don't like him, before a hooded attacker runs up and punches him square in the face.
The man was quick to run away, leaving Spencer rubbing his jaw.
The incident was not the only example of violence on the streets of Washington D.C today.
So far, 271 people have so far been arrested as chaos unfolded at anti-Trump demonstrations, with cops and protesters battling minutes away from the presidential parade.
Riot cops were forced to use pepper spray and stun guns as brawls broke out, windows were smashed and fires were lit on the streets.
His deeply divisive campaign last year fuelled great anger, and those who disagree with his stance on immigrants and women took to the streets to voice their fury.
