Complete lack of knowledge has never stopped President Trump from posing as an expert on issues ranging from health care to chocolate cake. Today’s installment came about his hero, Andrew Jackson and the former President’s feelings about the Civil War, which began 16 years after he died. (Audio below.)
Many Americans were struck speechless by the startling display of incompetence. Chelsea Clinton, however, was not one of them.
Seeming to make up the story on the spot, Trump explained, “[Andrew Jackson] was really angry that he saw what was happening with regard to the Civil War. He said, ‘There’s no reason for this.'”
As if that were not bad enough, Trump continued:
“People don’t realize, you know, the Civil War, you think about it. Why? People don’t ask that question, but why was there the Civil War? Why could that one not have been worked out?
In fact, Clinton had asked that question before, and she even had an answer. Courteously, she even offered to educate The Donald:
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
The obvious historical facts did not stop Trump trolls from doing what they do best. Trolling:
BREAKING: Chelsea Clinton discovered Google https://t.co/Dpoi1DPNiS
— Colin Carr (@colinthehogs) May 1, 2017
There again, Chelsea was ready with the perfect response:
Hi Colin – I've been to Hermitage, Andrew Jackson's home in Tennessee. Worth visiting. Doesn't shy away from Jackson's slave-owning history. https://t.co/L8WZkqifJZ
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) May 1, 2017
Our president has once again shown a total lack of understanding of American history —including the facts, causes, and ramifications of key events — but that is not the largest concern.
The arrogance of passing off improvised and easily disproven details as facts in order to justify bigotry is a disturbing and dangerous phenomenon from the President of the United States. Now, 102 days into his presidency, we have seen no sign that this behavior will subside as long as his base continues to condone and defend his ignorance.
For now, we can at least be glad that Chelsea Clinton is so adept at holding our liar-in-chief’s feet to the fire.
Here's the audio on that Trump answer: "Why was there the Civil War? Why could that one not have been worked out?" pic.twitter.com/tEUFGRDMSM
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) May 1, 2017