BILL O'REILLY (HOST): Finally tonight, Factor Tip of The Day. As we mentioned, Talking Points Memo, Michelle Obama referenced slaves building the White House in referring to the evolution of America in a positive way. It was a positive comment. The history behind her remark is fascinating. George Washington selected the site in 1791, and as president laid the cornerstone in 1792. Washington was then running the country out of Philadelphia.



Slaves did participate in the construction of the White House. Records show about 400 payments made to slave masters between 1795 and 1801. In addition, free blacks, whites, and immigrants also worked on the massive building. There were no illegal immigrants at that time. If you could make it here, you could stay here.



In 1800, President John Adams took up residence in what was then called the Executive Mansion. It was only later on they named it the White House. But Adams was in there with Abigail, and they were still hammering nails, the construction was still going on.



Slaves that worked there were well-fed and had decent lodgings provided by the government, which stopped hiring slave labor in 1802. 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. Got it all? There will be a quiz.



[...]



I just can't get rid of that history teacher thing. You know what I'm talking about?

Previously:



Rush Limbaugh Says That Michelle Obama Needs To Get Over Slavery



On Fox, Ben Carson Shuts Down Media Attacking Michelle Obama's DNC Remarks As Race Baiting



Fox Guest Calls Michelle Obama's Discussion Of American Race Relations “Race-Baiting” And Says It Was “Beneath Her”



Bill O'Reilly Uses Images Of Obama At Muslim Wedding To Claim His “Emotional Attachment To The Muslim World Has Hurt The USA”



Charles Krauthammer Calls Out Bill O'Reilly For Stoking Racial Tensions With False Attacks On BLM



O'Reilly: Martin Luther King Would Not Support Black Lives Matter Movement



O’Reilly Tells Trump Blacks Are "Ill-Educated And Have Tattoos On Their Forehead”