Former US President Donald Trump has sparked outrage and disbelief with his latest historical claim, suggesting that America would have lost the capital city of Washington during the Revolutionary War without Russia's assistance.
Speaking at a recent event, Trump stated: "People don't know this, but Russia was our biggest ally in saving Washington. Without them, we wouldn't have Washington today." This eyebrow-raising comment has left historians and political analysts scrambling to fact-check the assertion.
Historical Accuracy Questioned
Experts were quick to point out that Russia didn't actually participate in the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). In fact, Russia under Catherine the Great maintained a policy of armed neutrality during the conflict.
Dr. Emily Williamson, professor of American history at Oxford University, told reporters: "This is a complete rewriting of history. The Russian Empire had no significant involvement in the American Revolution, let alone in 'saving Washington' which wasn't even the capital at the time."
Political Fallout
The controversial remarks come at a sensitive time in US-Russia relations, with ongoing tensions over Ukraine and other geopolitical issues. Political opponents have seized on Trump's statement as further evidence of his alleged pro-Russia leanings.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded: "These comments demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of American history and our nation's founding principles."
Social Media Reaction
The internet exploded with reactions to Trump's historical revisionism:
- "This might be Trump's most bizarre historical take yet" - @PoliticalAnalyst
- "Someone get this man a history textbook" - @HistoryBuff
- "Alternative facts meet alternative history" - @DCJournalist
As the controversy continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Trump's latest comments have added another chapter to his long history of provocative statements about Russia and American history.
