Bill O'Reilly fact checks Michelle Obama, says slaves who worked on the White House were 'well fed'

(Image credit: Rob Kim/Getty Images)

published 27 July 2016

Michelle Obama reminded Americans of the darker side of our history when she spoke at the Democratic convention Monday night of waking up every morning "in a house that was built by slaves." The stirring line, though, was one of hope and progress: "I watch my daughters, two beautiful, intelligent black young women, playing with their dogs on the White House lawn," she went on.

Fox News host Bill O'Reilly wasn't having it. The political commentator attempted to "fact-check" Obama's statement by saying that "slaves that worked [on the White House] were well fed and had decent lodgings…So, Michelle Obama is essentially correct in citing slaves as builders of the White House, but there were others working as well."

Of course, the point isn't how "well" some slaves might have been treated, or if there were other workers. The point is, slaves built the White House.

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This shouldn't even need to be written, but if you ever feel like defending the use of slaves — don't.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.