Fact Check: Did Jesse Watters say, ‘If Trump was president during Civil War, we would’ve won it?’

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A rumor circulated across social media in December 2025 claiming that Fox News' host Jesse Watters said, "If Trump had been president during the Civil War, we would've won it."

As per the claim, the statement appeared on a chyron on Fox News. But is there any truth to this viral rumor that has spread across social media? Let us find out below.

Claim: Jesse Watters said 'If Trump had been president during Civil War, we would've won it'

A Facebook user posted the claim, with what seemed to be an image of Jesse Watters on the news station, with a chyron that read - WATTERS: "IF TRUMP HAD BEEN PRESIDENT DURING THE CIVIL WAR, WE WOULD'VE WON IT."

The rumor was further spread across different social media platforms, such as Reddit and Threads.

A Threads user shared the same image and wrote in the caption, "You are free to interpret who 'we' are." Similarly, a Reddit post read, "He publicly admits he's anti-American."

False: No credible evidence to back the claim

The claims made in the online rumor are false, as there is no credible evidence to prove that Jesse Watters said, "If Trump had been president during the Civil War, we would've won it."

The rumor originated with Facebook user James Schlarmann, who describes his content as being humorous or satirical in nature. The account's bio states he is a comedian, and his Instagram bio reads "Comedian. Satirist". 

Moreover, posts linked above all posts featured a watermark indicating the story originated from Schlarmann's account. The image of Watters seemed to overlay a fictional quote on an authentic photo to make it look like a screenshot from a Fox News segment.

The fictional story went viral soon after Watters spoke at conservative non-profit Turning Point USA's AmericaFest Conference on December 20. During his speech, Watters said President Donald Trump once told him that people compared Trump's X account to the Gettysburg Address.

Jesse Watters recounts Trump calling new WH ballroom a 'monument to myself'

During AmFest 2025, Jesse Watters recounted a meeting with President Trump at the White House, saying that while they were "having like Mexican food", the POTUS asked him, "Jesse, you want to see the rendition of the big beautiful ballroom."

Watters agreed to it and replied, "Sure. Let me see it," and Trump "rolled the whole thing out." Watters told the audience, "And guys, I don't know if you know this the ballroom is huge" while commenting on the scale of the project.

He added, "Like I said, 'Mr President the ballroom is four times the size of the White House.'"

As per Watters, Trump responded, "Jesse, It's a monument, I'm building a monument to myself because no one else will."

Watters' remark drew laughter and applause from the crowd, as he laughed along as well.