Is Trumpism becoming the new ‘Lost Cause’? 

In his first public speech since he left office, former President Donald Trump repeated the lie that he won the election in November. Speaking to the Conservative Political Action Conference, better known as CPAC, he continued to insist voter fraud cost him the White House.

Trump wasn’t the only person at CPAC making the claim. Panels were full of what some Democrats have dubbed “the big lie,” a falsehood two out of three Republicans believe. Supporters of the former president were exuberant when Trump criticized President Joe Biden’s first month in office, but even more enthusiastic when he called out Republicans who have opposed him.

Historians say that kind of support, built on grievance and distortion of facts, could lead to a new “Lost Cause” mythology. They point to similar tactics, overlapping symbols and corresponding defeats that are recast as noble and unjust.

Wednesday, MPR News host Kerri Miller spoke with two Civil War historians about the dangers of a new “Lost Cause” mythology taking root in America.

Guests:

• Caroline Janney professor in history of the American Civil War at the University of Virginia and director of the Nau Center for Civil War History.

• Adam Domby is a historian of the Civil War, Reconstruction and the American South at the College of Charleston. 

To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.

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