One of the biggest issues that Donald Trump has had to face has been critics who question his intelligence when it comes to issues related to running the government. After his most recent interview, Trump is now facing push back over his lack of knowledge about American history.
Trump on Civil War
Between 1861 and 1865, the Union soldiers of the North and the Confederate States of America in the South took part in the bloodiest war in United States history. The Union came out on top, and changed the direction of the country in the process. The war began after seven Southern states declared their secession from the United States in 1861, which led to the Confederate army attacking Fort Sumter in South Carolina.
There were several factors that caused the war, including the issue of slavery, and by the time the Union army declared victory, around 700,000 American soldiers have been killed during the four year span. President Abraham Lincoln led the charge for the Union, and was able to out maneuver the President of the Confederate States of America Jefferson Davis. While the Civil War is one of the most studied events in history, Donald Trump seemed a bit confused, as reported by The Hill on May 1.
"Had Andrew Jackson been a little bit later, you wouldn’t have had the Civil War" @realDonaldTrump told @SalenaZito. Full intv at 2pE, Ch124 pic.twitter.com/d7PuRRm7Md
— SiriusXMPolitics (@SXMPolitics) May 1, 2017
During an interview with Sirius XM radio on Monday, Donald Trump randomly brought up the Civil War.
"Had Andrew Jackson been a little bit later you wouldn't have had the Civil War," Trump said, before adding, "He was a very tough person, but he had a big heart." "He was really angry that he saw what was happening with regard to the Civil War," Trump went on to say, before noting, "There's no reason for this.'" Trump's claim that Jackson was upset over the Civil War conflicts with history as the former president passed away in 1845, 16 years before the start of the war in question.
Trump says Andrew Jackson, who died 16 years before Civil War, was "really angry" about Civil War: https://t.co/YzxL9DB9Ms pic.twitter.com/ZNf3zg4x4z
— The Hill (@thehill) May 1, 2017
"People don't ask that question, but why was there the Civil War?" Donald Trump wondered, before asking, "Why could that one not have been worked out?" Not stopping there, the former host of "The Apprentice" then compared himself to Andrew Jackson, saying, "My campaign and win was most like Andrew Jackson," he claimed, while noting, "he had a very, very mean and nasty campaign."
Twitter reacts
In response to Donald Trump's comments about the Civil War, social media users were quick to respond.
"DT not knowing Andrew Jackson died before CW is not surprising. He is a complete and utter moron. Impeach. Treason," actor and director Rob Reiner tweeted out.
DT not knowing Andrew Jackson died before Civil War is not surprising. He is a complete and utter moron. Impeach. Treason. #trumprussia
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) May 1, 2017
Lying racist near-illiterate who sees war as vehicle for profit Andrew Jackson inspires lying racist near-illiterate wannabe. https://t.co/TiiRdnS16Q
— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) May 1, 2017
1 word answer: Slavery. Longer: When Andrew Jackson died in 1845 (16 yrs before the Civil War began), he owned 150 men, women and children. https://t.co/Icg6puG2JZ
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) May 1, 2017
"Lying racist near-illiterate who sees war as vehicle for profit Andrew Jackson inspires lying racist near-illiterate wannabe," comedian John Fugelsang wrote on Twitter. "1 word answer: Slavery. Longer: When Andrew Jackson died in 1845 (16 yrs before the war began), he owned 150 men, women and children," Chelsea Clinton tweeted.
