Outrage Erupts Over Trump Praising Civil War – but Here’s the Whole Story
By The Blaze. Trump told a story from the Civil War of President Abraham Lincoln dealing with the victories of confederate general Robert E. Lee.
“So Robert E. Lee was a great general,” Trump told the audience. “And Abraham Lincoln developed a phobia.” . . .
Trump: "Robert E. Lee was a great general."
Reality: Robert E. Lee was a traitor.
— Charles Johnson (@Green_Footballs) October 13, 2018
PSA to any company considering donating to GOP and its candidates: its leader just praised the pro-slavery side of Civil War in the form of Robert E. Lee. Be advised: if you give them a DIME right now I will work hard to associate your brand name w/ slavery for the next 2 years.
— Shannon Coulter 🎃 (@shannoncoulter) October 13, 2018
Seven thousand Ohioan soldiers–fighting for the Union–were killed during the Civil War. Trump praises Robert E. Lee, who led the troops that killed them. And Trump's Ohio supporters cheer. Now that's deplorable.
— David Corn (@DavidCornDC) October 13, 2018
Much of the media didn’t report the conclusion of the story Trump was telling the audience.
“And one day it was looking really bad and Lincoln just said you hardly knew his name,” he said, “and they said don’t take him he’s got a drinking people.”
“And Lincoln said I don’t care what problem he has, you guys aren’t winning,” Trump continued. “And his name was Grant, General Grant. And he went in and he knocked the hell out of everyone.”
WATCH: President Trump says "Robert E. Lee was a great general" during Ohio rally, calling the Confederate leader "incredible." pic.twitter.com/HhsLI1Mk05
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 13, 2018
(Read more from “Outrage Erupts Over Trump Praising Civil War – but Here’s the Whole Story” HERE)
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Trump Gives Civil War History at Ohio Rally, Describing Lee, Grant as ‘Great’ Generals
By USA Today. At President Donald Trump’s campaign rallies, history usually begins at the 2016 election.
But the president embarked on a lesson of the Civil War while speaking to an audience in Ohio on Friday, praising generals on both sides and telling the story of President Lincoln’s relationship with Ulysses S. Grant in characteristically populist terms.
“So Robert E. Lee was a great general and Abraham Lincoln developed a phobia,” Trump began, referencing the Confederate general who won many of the early battles against Lincoln’s Union army. “He couldn’t beat Robert E. Lee.”
Phobia is not a word historians associate with Lincoln’s feelings on Lee, but it is true the president was often frustrated by the slow pace of union progress.
Trump then turned to the point of the story: Grant. The Ohio native, born about 50 miles from where Trump was speaking on Friday, wasn’t supported by the military leaders, Trump said. Rumors of Grant’s struggles with alcohol during the Mexican-American War widely circulated in the War Department. (Read more from “Trump Gives Civil War History at Ohio Rally, Describing Lee, Grant as ‘Great’ Generals” HERE)
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