Trump suggests Abraham Lincoln could have 'settled' the Civil War, Internet says 'he doesn't read'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former President Donald Trump took a dig at the way Abraham Lincoln handled the Civil War, suggesting the 16th President could have "settled" it.

The GOP presidential nominee made the shocking remarks while answering a recorded question from a 10-year-old on 'Fox & Friends' on Friday, October 18, as per Mediaite.

A child named Daniel from Tennessee asked Trump who his favorite president was when he was little.

In response, the real estate mogul first mentioned Ronald Reagan before deviating to Lincoln and the Civil War.

"Lincoln was probably a great president," Trump said. "Although, I’ve always said, why wasn’t that settled? You know? I’m a guy that– it doesn’t make sense. We had a Civil War," he added.

GOP strategist attempts to clarify Donald Trump's remarks on Abraham Lincoln

After Donald Trump's shocking accusation against Abraham Lincoln for failing to resolve America's bloodiest conflict, GOP strategist Scott Jennings made a considerable effort to clarify Trump's intended meaning.

Appearing on CNN's 'Anderson Cooper 360', Jennings attempted to downplay the remark, claiming the MAGA leader was aiming for a "general disposition that war is bad" and was running for White House as an "anti-war type candidate," as per Mediaite.

According to Jennings, Trump believed one should try to avoid war.

Continuing his response to the child regarding Lincoln and the Civil War, Trump depicted Lincoln as an anti-war figure, suggesting that if Lincoln had been president, neither the Russia-Ukraine conflict nor the Israel-Hamas war would have occurred.

Jennings defended Trump amid the backlash regarding his comments about the war that ended slavery, asserting that the criticisms were "irrelevant." He added that Trump would have named Lincoln as his favorite president if someone had asked.

"It’s sort of esoteric or irrelevant historical kicking around what could have been, might have been, should have been, but no, it’s not a conversation I think is useful," Jennings said about the outrage surrounding Trump's remarks.

When Cooper inquired whether Trump was implying that certain forms of slavery should have been allowed, Jennings suggested that Trump might have intended that interpretation.

He added that the former president likely believed politicians could have negotiated an end to slavery without resorting to bloodshed, potentially reaching a settlement that would have persuaded the South to comply.

Donald Trump says he likes Ronald Reagan but not his trade policy

Donald Trump's first response to the child regarding his favorite president during his childhood was Ronald Reagan.

However, the business magnate was not a child when Reagan took over the Oval Office in 1981. Trump was 34 years old at the time.

While the GOP nominee admired the 40th President, he disagreed with his trade policies.

"So, I liked Ronald Reagan," Trump said to the 10-year-old boy. "I thought he was– look, I didn’t love his trade policy. I’m a very good trade– I’ve made some great trade deals for us."

Internet slams Donald Trump for saying Abraham Lincoln could have 'settled' Civil War

Donald Trump's suggestion that Abraham Lincoln could have ended the Civil War ignited outrage on social media, with netizens criticizing his historical knowledge.

"He is quite possibly the dumbest person on earth, without a doubt, the dumbest President we have ever had," one user said.

"Trump is so ignorant about history--and lots of other vital subjects. Maybe because he doesn't read and probably never has," another added.

"Lincoln actually did try to settle it. He told the South they could keep their slaves & their way of life, but slavery couldn’t expand. He also considered buying all the slaves. Trump is an ignorant fool who knows nothing of our history," a user wrote.

"This is legitimately one of the dumbest quotes to ever be muttered by anyone. Certainly worse than anything Kamala has said," read a response.

"Dear lord… pretty soon he’s going to say George Washington should have negotiated with the British. This just tells you where this man’s head is at! Especially if it means ending slavery," someone else remarked.

"Trump is such a clown. He thinks he can negotiate peace. He's a complete kook," an individual said.

"He has no filter and he thinks he’s funny. I don’t need an immature adolescent as my POTUS," another user chimed in.

"He sounds old and crazy, like the kind of person I’d tell my kids to avoid if we saw him in public," read one remark.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.