O'Reilly: Slaves Who Built White House Were 'Well-Fed'

By Joe Concha, The Hill

27 July 16

ox News host Bill O'Reilly has sparked major controversy with a fact-check of first lady Michelle Obama's comments about waking up "every morning in a house that was built by slaves."

During "The O'Reilly Factor" Tuesday night, the top-rated cable news host said working conditions were relatively favorable for slaves who helped build the White House more than 200 years ago.

"Slaves that worked there were well-fed and had decent lodgings provided by the government, which stopped hiring slave labor in 1802," O'Reilly explained. "However, the feds did not forbid subcontractors from using slave labor.

"So, Michelle Obama is essentially correct in citing slaves as builders of the White House, but there were others working as well," the one-time history teacher concluded.

"Got it all? There will be a quiz."

His commentary followed Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention on Monday night.

"I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves," the first lady said in her keynote address. "I watch my daughters — two beautiful, intelligent, black young women — playing with their dogs on the White House lawn."

The reaction to O'Reilly's commentary has been consistent on social media:

Reilly also is host and executive producer of "Legends and Lies," which airs Sunday nights on Fox News.

According to the program's webpage, the "10-part series dispels the exaggerations and falsehoods which have developed over the years, shedding new light on iconic characters and their stories. Legends & Lies cuts through the myths and brings untold truths to the screen for the first time."