On Thursday, Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas attempted to blame Democrats for the U.S. Civil War. While the Democratic Party of 1860 did indeed resist restrictions being placed on slavery, the implication that the current Democratic Party should share responsibility drew widespread mockery and condemnation online.
Tom Cotton’s Post
Cotton posted his argument on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The Civil War started,” he claimed, “because the American people elected an anti-slavery Republican as president and Democrats revolted rather than accept minor restrictions on the expansion of slavery to the western territories.
Direct Comparison
“And today,” Cotton continued in a reply, “Democrats would sooner tear the country apart than treat all citizens equally before the law, regardless of color.”
Criticism Pours In
Internet users wasted no time in responding to Cotton’s claims. “Let’s keep this going,” one user replied. “What happened to those Dixiecrats? And how did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 change party alignment?”
More Critiques
“Democrats today aren’t waving or defending the Confederate flag or lamenting about the ‘lost cause,’” wrote Wajahat Ali, a columnist for the Daily Beast. “That’s Tom Cotton’s GOP. If Lincoln was a Republican today, the MAGA extremists would probably try to assassinate him.”
False Comparison
“Which party is actively defending the confederacy in the year 2023,” another user asked, “and which party is working to tear down confederate statues and monuments?”
Guilt by Association
“We always see a Trump Flag next to a Confederate Flag or Swastika,” another pointed out, “yet none next to a Biden Flag. Odd how that happens.”
Cotton’s Current Views
Users pointed out Cotton’s current support for Confederate monuments and history of controversial remarks about slavery. In 2020, he was harshly criticized for calling slavery a “necessary evil upon which the union was built.”
Just Asking Questions
“Hey Siri,” another user on X wrote in response to Cotton’s post on Thursday, “please tell Tom Cotton the civil war was 158 years ago and he and his party are rife in confederacy. Tell us all Tom, why you wanted to keep confederate monuments and were ok with the confederate flag in our Capitol?”
Put in Context
Cotton’s controversial comments followed a similar blunder by Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley. On Thursday, Haley responded to a question about how the Civil War started, saying it was over “how the government was going to run” and “the freedoms of what people could and couldn’t do.”
Missing Something
When the anonymous question-asker noted that it was “astonishing” that Haley answered the question “without mentioning the word ‘slavery,’” Haley dismissed them. “What do you want me to say about slavery?” she asked. “Next question.”
Damage Control
This interaction quickly went viral, with many pointing out that slavery is universally accepted among historians as the cause of the Civil War. Haley soon attempted to walk back her remarks, saying, “Of course the Civil War was about slavery.”
Criticism
Christale Spain, the first Black woman chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, called Haley’s remarks “vile but unsurprising.” Spain pointed out that Haley had “tried to justify a Confederate History Month.”
Blunder or Dogwhistle?
Though many portrayed Haley’s comment as a mistake, including the candidate herself, it may have been an intentional omission to avoid alienating far-right voters. A growing number of potential Republican voters do not agree with the historical consensus over the start of the Civil War, believing instead in the widely debunked ‘lost cause’ myth and aligning themselves with the Confederacy.
Read Next: What Really Causes Donald Trump’s Skin to be So Orange
Former President Donald Trump’s distinctive orange skin has captivated attention, sparking curiosity about its evolution from average pale over the years:
What Really Causes Donald Trump’s Skin to be So Orange
21 of the Biggest Lies in American History
Dive into the shadows of American history as we explore 21 of its biggest lies that have left an indelible mark on the nation’s narrative:
21 of the Biggest Lies in American History
32 Things We Once Highly Respected but Are a Complete Joke Now
Discover the amusing downfall of once-respected entities in our changing world:
32 Things We Once Highly Respected but Are a Complete Joke Now
23 of Donald Trump’s Most Hilarious Moments as President
Explore the lighter side of Donald Trump’s presidency with 23 hilariously memorable moments that left the nation in stitches:
23 of Donald Trump’s Most Hilarious Moments as President
27 Things MAGA Movement Ruined Forever for People
How the MAGA movement left its mark on individuals and disrupted certain aspects of our everyday life forever:
