Trump Suggests Civil War Could Have Been Averted Through Negotiation
Former President Donald Trump claims the Civil War could have been avoided through negotiation, asserting that the US did not require a bloody conflict to end slavery He argues Abraham Lincoln should have pursued alternative solutions to prevent the war's outbreak
During a campaign event in Newton, Iowa, former President Donald Trump suggested on Saturday that the Civil War might have been prevented through negotiation. He argued that the fight to end slavery in the US was ultimately unnecessary and that Abraham Lincoln should have made more efforts to avoid bloodshed.
"There were so many mistakes made. I honestly believe that something could have been negotiated," Trump stated. "I think that could have been resolved through negotiation. The loss of so many lives, it's just so tragic."
Shortly before the Iowa caucuses, the ex-president made remarks, with polls showing him ahead of his rivals, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump walks onstage at a campaign rally before giving remarks on January 05, 2024 in Mason City, Iowa.
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Trump launches his most aggressive criticisms of Haley yet
The Civil War has become an unexpected topic on the GOP primary campaign. Haley, who previously avoided mentioning slavery as the cause of the Civil War, has now changed her stance after facing scrutiny. She has acknowledged that slavery was indeed the driving force behind the war.
Trumps comments were not related to or inspired by Haleys' remarks. Prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, several attempts were made to negotiate a resolution to save the Union. However, the issue of slavery in the South could not be resolved through compromise, ultimately leading the nation into a devastating internal conflict. Trump did not elaborate on how he would have avoided the war, which he described as "terrible but also intriguing."
"It was, I can't explain it, it was just a different experience," Trump said of the war. "I am just drawn to witnessing it."
After detailing the injuries soldiers suffered in combat, Trump remarked, "There's nothing pleasant about it," stating that the war was "a difficult one for our country."
He also implied that if Lincoln had negotiated it, he wouldn't have the same historical significance. GOP former Rep. Liz Cheney criticized Trump's stance on social media and questioned how Republicans who support him can justify it.
Cheney questioned which aspects of the Civil War could have been subject to negotiation, such as the issue of slavery, the secession of the South, and whether Lincoln should have worked to preserve the Union. She then addressed members of the GOP, highlighting their endorsement of Donald Trump and questioning how they could defend his actions in light of their party's historical connection to Lincoln. Modern Republicans have traditionally held Lincoln in high regard as a hero, particularly for his efforts to preserve the Union amidst the South's desire to secede, rather than solely focusing on the abolition of slavery.
