Making Lincoln Great Again

This is from a recent interview that Donald Trump gave to The Washington Post’s Bob Woodward. I think it is safe to say that Woodward knew not to follow up on Trump’s response. Like just about everything else that comes out of his mouth, this is both horrifying and hilarious.

Trump, LincolnThe historian David Donald wrote an essay in 1956, titled, “Getting Right With Lincoln” in which he surveyed the ways politicians attempted to embrace Lincoln as their own. I am not quite sure how you would classify Trump’s identification with our 16th president.

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18 comments… add one
  • Nathan Towne Apr 12, 2016 @ 4:29

    Hi,

    Interesting comment from Trump. I am not exactly sure what he meant though when he said that “Ten years before, or twenty years before, what he was doing would not have been thought possible.” What does he mean?

    Nathan Towne

    • Kevin Levin Apr 12, 2016 @ 4:31

      I have no idea and I suspect neither does he.

      • Annette Jackson Apr 12, 2016 @ 5:01

        It is truly horrifying that this man could actually end up being elected president.

        • Nathan Towne Apr 12, 2016 @ 6:55

          I don’t think that he has any real chance to win the General Election even if he were nominated on the Republican ticket, which is looking more doubtful as the days go by. He is going to get absolutely skewered during the General Election campaign on the comments that he has made, especially about women, which is going to really hurt him badly. Either way, if it is any consolation, I have been out there fighting against him winning the Republican Party nomination.

  • Forester Apr 11, 2016 @ 15:08

    You sure this wasn’t part of that Gettysburg address parody? :p

  • Neil Hamilton Apr 8, 2016 @ 5:02

    Trouble is, we don’t elect historians, we elect politicians.

  • bob carey Apr 8, 2016 @ 0:30

    I suspect that the answer would have been similar if Woodward asked the same question about Jefferson Davis.
    Trump has to be careful not to praise Lincoln too much because I think that he has endorsements from numerous neo-confederate groups, based on what I’ve seen on their various web-sites, afterall you do not want to jeopardize David Duke’s support.

    • Andy Hall Apr 8, 2016 @ 8:35

      Trump has to be careful not to praise Lincoln too much because I think that he has endorsements from numerous neo-confederate groups, based on what I’ve seen on their various web-sites, afterall you do not want to jeopardize David Duke’s support.

      There’s definitely strong support for Trump among those folks, since he’s the closest thing to George Wallace that’s been on offer in a presidential race since, um, George Wallace.

      But in this case, I think you’re giving Trump too much credit for calculation in his answer. The Donald doesn’t do nuance very well.

  • tmheaney Apr 7, 2016 @ 18:47

    Sounds exactly like some final exam essays I’ve read.

  • Eric A. Jacobson Apr 7, 2016 @ 15:59

    Trump and Sanders both represent a section of the electorate, that on many levels, would give an answer, or answers, that would not be nearly as coherent as the response Trump gave to Woodward and Costa. And I’m being completely serious. By more calculations over 50% of the those who have voted support those two candidates, and so here we are.

    • Kevin Levin Apr 7, 2016 @ 16:01

      I can’t speak to what Sanders might say in response to a question about Lincoln or any other historical subject. My guess is that it would be a bit more coherent compared to Trump, but I have absolutely no interest in defending that claim.

  • Bill Underhill Apr 7, 2016 @ 13:47

    The late Prof. Donald could never envision The Donald’s response, nor from any rational individual.

  • Annette Jackson Apr 7, 2016 @ 12:04

    I never know where to begin with Trump. His popularity continues to astonish me. From that jumbled mess that came out of his mouth, I am not sure he has any idea of who he was talking about…probably had him confused with someone on a reality TV show. Trump’s family wants him to be more “presidential.” Good luck with that!

    • Kevin Levin Apr 7, 2016 @ 12:39

      I am willing to wager that he has no idea in what decade Lincoln was president.

      • Annette Jackson Apr 7, 2016 @ 13:11

        I think you are probably right! The New Yorker has some very funny Trump parodies Shakespeare in its most recent issue.

  • Allen Edelstein Apr 7, 2016 @ 11:33

    DUH !

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