Donald Trump’s reference to the “beautiful” Battle of Gettysburg during a campaign rally in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, on Saturday drew attention from social media users, who wondered what his rambling “rant” was about.
“Wow, Gettysburg was an incredible battle,” exclaimed Trump as he stood before the crowd in the town, sporting a iconic Make America Great Again hat. He reflected on the historical event, describing it as a mix of intensity, intrigue, brutality, and stunning beauty. Trump acknowledged the significant role it played in shaping the success of our nation.”
“I’m always amazed when I visit Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It’s a place where I can reflect and observe,” he shared. “I remember the words of Robert E. Lee, who is no longer revered. Have you ever noticed that? He’s fallen out of favor. ‘Never fight uphill, my boys, never fight uphill.’ Yet, they ended up fighting uphill, and he realized it was a huge mistake. He lost his top general. ‘Never fight uphill, my boys,’ but sadly, it was too late,” Trump recounted.
On Saturday, Trump held his first major campaign event in Pennsylvania, a battleground state that President Joe Biden is also expected to visit soon. Biden is set to make three stops in Pennsylvania next week, starting with his hometown of Scranton.
Social media users, journalists, and strategists who were following the former president’s rally on Saturday were quick to notice Trump’s mention of the Battle of Gettysburg. This historic battle, fought between Confederates and Federal troops from July 1 to 3, 1863, garnered significant attention.
A Twitter user, who identifies as pro-Ron DeSantis, criticized Donald Trump’s understanding of The Battle of Gettysburg, stating that he lacks in-depth knowledge and should not attempt to be a historian.
In a recent rant, Trump made an unusual comment about the battle of Gettysburg. He also mentioned that Robert E. Lee is no longer favored. Journalist Aaron Rupar highlighted this peculiar statement. It is worth noting that Lee was a Confederate General who led the slave-holding states during the final stages of the American Civil War.
A user on the social media platform mocked Trump’s mention of the battle, jokingly saying, “When there’s an essay question on the test you didn’t study for.”
Many users were skeptical about how the deadliest battle of the Civil War, which resulted in an estimated 23,000 Federal troops and 28,000 Confederate soldiers being killed, injured, or captured over three days, could be described as “beautiful.” However, despite the horrific casualties, the significance of the Battle of Gettysburg cannot be overlooked. It marked a turning point in the war and played a crucial role in the eventual Union victory in 1865.
During a 2024 campaign event earlier this year, Trump mentioned the Civil War again, and it wasn’t the first time. Speaking at a rally in Iowa in January, the former president expressed his belief that the war “could have been negotiated” and therefore prevented. While he did not provide specifics on how he would have achieved this, he did share his fascination with the war despite acknowledging its horrors.
