Black Republican slams Haley for Civil War response: 'The answer is slavery period’

A Black Republican congressman slammed Nikki Haley Thursday after a voter’s question about the cause of the Civil War threatened to send the presidential hopeful’s campaign into a nosedive.

“The answer is slavery,” Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) wrote on X. “PERIOD.”

Donalds’ voice was one in a cacophony of outrage after Haley told New Hampshire voters the Civil War was spurred by the debate over “how government was going to run…the freedom of what people could and couldn’t do.”

Haley tried to backtrack Thursday in a radio interview when she said, “Of course the Civil War was about slavery. We know that. That’s the easy part of it.”

She also suggested the question came from a Democrat plant.

The pivot didn’t turn out the way Haley hoped.

Republican strategist Rick Tyler chastised Haley in a segment on MSNBC and noted the people who fought the Civil War were very clear about what they were trying to dismantle.

“Saying the Civil War wasn't about slavery is like ignoring the sun when talking about sunburns,” Tyler said. “I think the big lesson is don't say dumb things in a slow news week.”

Republican competitor Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis agreed with Tyler that Haley had fumbled.

ALSO READ: Marjorie Taylor Greene has Jan. 6 anniversary plans

“Haley embarrassingly attempts to walk back her Civil War flub,” DeSantis said. “Nikki Haley doesn't have what it takes to win.”

Ann Coulter jumped in to agree, arguing her pick for president in 2024 would never have made such a mistake.

“You know who wouldn't have babbled gibberish in talking about American history? Ron DeSantis,” Coulter said.

President Joe Biden’s campaign joined the chorus, sharing video of the moment when Haley refused to discuss the matter with the New Hampshire voter who raised the question.

“What do you want me to say about slavery?” Haley snaps. “Next question.”

Watch the MSNBC segment below or click here