By Joanna McClanahan of Ramblin’ Mama
Surrounded by seemingly the only African Americans he knows, Trump kicked off Black History Month with a bizarre speech in which he rambled about everything from Omarosa’s success to a bust of Martin Luther King Jr. (which had been covered very unfairly by the press, apparently). But the most interesting part of Trump’s speech was when he appeared to hint that Frederick Douglass is still alive:
“Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who’s done an amazing job and is being recognized more and more, I notice,” said Trump.
Which seems like pretty strange phrasing considering the fact that Douglass died in 1895. Then, later today, Press Secretary Sean Spicer was asked to clarify Trump’s comments about Douglass:
“I think he wants to highlight the contributions that he has made,” Spicer responded. “And I think through a lot of the actions and statements that he’s going to make, I think the contributions of Frederick Douglass will become more and more.”
Leaving the world, and all of Twitter, wondering, “Does anyone in this White House even know who Frederick Douglass is? Or anything about black history for that matter?”
Frederick Douglass has done an amazing job but liberal news media doesn’t report on what he’s doing! SAD!
— George Wallace (@MrGeorgeWallace) February 1, 2017
#Trumpblackhistory When you realize trump & sean spicer think Frederick Douglass is still alive pic.twitter.com/4PMubFN5fb
— Joanna Pennington (@joadawn) February 2, 2017
Frederick Douglass, tremendous guy. Invented the peanut, rode the bus, all of it. Black. Where is he? Is he… ok, well he’s around.
— vineyille (@vineyille) February 1, 2017
@davidfrum to be fair… pic.twitter.com/ALnm8pwL4H
— ElElegante101 (@skolanach) February 1, 2017
Trump: Tell reporters how u wouldn’t give up your seat on the bus.
Omarosa: That was a different ‘Rosa’ Mr. President.#TrumpOnBlackHistory— Bill Madden (@activist360) February 1, 2017
“The Underground Railroad was a very bad system total disaster. Should’ve been above ground. Am I right ? Am I right ? #trumpblackhistory
— Freddie Forbes (@freddie_forbes) February 2, 2017
We go now, live, to Frederick Douglass to get his reaction. Frederick, you’re being recognized more and more by people. What’s your secret? pic.twitter.com/oAHKc8qsic
— Mike Bates (@MikeBatesSBN) February 1, 2017
Trump not making any predictions on the Super Bowl until he sees if Frederick Douglass is healthy enough to play
— Christian Schneider (@Schneider_CM) February 1, 2017
And of course, who could forget the great Malcom X, founder of the X-Men. Superb professor. A terrific team. The best. #TrumpBlackHistory
— Em Vee (@HombreDeTroy) February 1, 2017
“Even though I wouldn’t rent to them, George & Weezie didn’t give up. & eventually found a place on the east side” #trumpblackhistory pic.twitter.com/zHMbTEPVxi
— Franchesca Ramsey (@chescaleigh) February 1, 2017
“Martin Luther King, Jr was a great man. A black man. He was a great black man, folks. What else can I say? Very black.” #TrumpBlackHistory
— Matt Johnson (@matthewsethjohn) February 1, 2017
We pay homage to Carl Winslow who has been so committed to restoring law and order in such a dangerous place as Chicago #trumpblackhistory pic.twitter.com/gXUHrpmIKE
— The Baby Face Genius (@BJakaWilliam) February 1, 2017
Total words used to praise MLK, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman & Rosa Parks: 53. Number of words used to praise Omarosa: 51. https://t.co/ga9qB3UnHw
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) February 1, 2017
Favorite tv as a kid was The Cosby Show. Showed me the black struggle. Always felt a connection to Bill. Don’t know why #TrumpBlackHistory
— Generalissimo Trump (@Pol_PoTrump) February 2, 2017
“Dr. King. Nice guy. Not convinced he was born here.”#TrumpBlackHistorypic.twitter.com/QOh04X874o
— Bonnie Greer (@Bonn1eGreer) February 2, 2017
#TrumpOnBlackHistory : I love the Black folks who invented the Underground Railroad. Fastest way to get around New York City.
— Squirrel (@Squirrel3218) February 1, 2017
Frederick Douglass is amazing. He’s huge. I just heard his new mixtape. #TrumpBlackHistory pic.twitter.com/BLXvshoMvF
— Willis Williams (@Social_Chef) February 2, 2017
Blacks weren’t the only people hurt by slavery. Many plantation owners went bankrupt when it ended. What about them?#TrumpOnBlackHistory
— Randi Mayem Singer (@rmayemsinger) February 1, 2017
I’ve ALWAYS liked Frederick Douglass.
Loved him on “Sanford & Son.” Really classy guy.#TrumpOnBlackHistory pic.twitter.com/wCuVeDgNEv— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) February 1, 2017
“Muhammad Ali, great athlete. Would’ve supported the ban, absolutely.” #TrumpOnBlackHistory
— Jonathan Myers (@jonathanmyersSF) February 1, 2017
Well, Trump may not understand much about black history, but at least he’ll always have Ben Carson and Omarosa.