“Kevin Lamarque/Reuters President Donald Trump has often name-dropped Abraham Lincoln in boasting of his record on race. In case Americans needed any clarification, Donald Trump declared in the final presidential debate Thursday night that he does not claim to actually be Abraham Lincoln. Trump cleared that up in response to a zinger from Democratic rival Joe Biden, which apparently went right over the president’s head. Trump once again boasted that “nobody has done more for the Black community than Donald Trump … with the exception of Abraham Lincoln.” He also shockingly claimed that he was the “least racist person in this room” (which included Kristen Welker, the first black moderator at a presidential debate since 1992). Biden scoffed: “Abraham Lincoln over here is one of the most racist presidents we’ve had in modern history. He pours fuel on every single racist fire. Every single one.” Trump was confused. “You made a reference to Abraham Lincoln here,” the president responded. “Where did that come in?” “You said you’re Abraham Lincoln,” Biden quipped again. That’s when Trump felt compelled to clear things up: “No, I didn’t say I’m Abraham Lincoln. I said, ‘Not since Abraham Lincoln has anybody done what I’ve done for the Black community.’” Biden sarcastically refers to Trump as \”Abraham Lincoln,\” and Trump gets confused by it pic.twitter.com/Ogdt1QXf3g— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 23, 2020 Biden got a kick out of that (though he did mistakenly replace the white supremacist Proud Boys with the name “poor boys” in his bit). And fact-checkers could finally stand down — for a moment. Followers on Twitter loved it. Fact Check: Donald Trump is correct when he says he’s not Abraham Lincoln— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) October 23, 2020 Biden: Abraham Lincoln over here…Trump: I’m not Abraham Lincoln. I’m Donald Trump. Biden: Yeah we know bro.— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) October 23, 2020 “Not since Abraham Lincoln has anyone done anything for the African American community like I have!”Retweet if Dr. King would want a word with @realDonaldTrump #DebateTonight #Debates2020— David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) October 23, 2020 I’m so glad he clarified. I’ve been confused the last 3.75 years.— Melissa Weinstein (@meliswein) October 23, 2020 Trump interpreting Joe’s drag “Abraham Lincoln here” as literal is the funniest thing this year. He’s never heard a joke.— Ira Madison III (@ira) October 23, 2020 Trump: ‘Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln.’Biden: ‘Abraham Lincoln here says..’Trump: ‘Abraham Lincoln? Where did that come from?’ @realDonaldTrump— NoelCaslerComedy (@CaslerNoel) October 23, 2020 bold of Trump to worry that someone would confuse him with Abraham Lincoln— Alexandra Petri (@petridishes) October 23, 2020 That’s the way black people rank the Presidents: Abraham Lincoln and then Trump.— Andrew Yang🧢🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) October 23, 2020 It has been confirmed: Donald Trump and Abraham Lincoln are TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE. #Debates2020— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) October 23, 2020 Right. Lincoln said \”This government of the people, by the people, and for the people, will not perish from the earth.\” Trump is trying to drive a stake thru its heart.— Ramblin’ Man (@Jerry_at_Rick) October 23, 2020 “Eventually I’ll be right” -Donald trump pic.twitter.com/Ii33JQ0jim— You can’t trust trump (@labadorer) October 23, 2020 Not since Abraham Lincoln has anyone hated Trump as much as me— david chang (@davidchang) October 23, 2020 Trump has now lost his temper. Apparently Joe Biden cracking a joke about him being \”Abraham Lincoln\” really got to him…— Susan Glasser (@sbg1) October 23, 2020 Donald Trump saying “Nobody has done more for African Americans, with the exception, maybe, thank Abraham Lincoln” is not only a lie. It denigrates Black humanity, American history, White citizens/elected officials who’ve bled for racial justice since the birth of the republic.— Dr. Peniel E. Joseph (@PenielJoseph) October 23, 2020
