Presidential historian Doug Wead has an interesting defense against allegations that President Donald Trump is racist: previous presidents were WAY more racist than he is.

In an appearance on Fox Business Network Thursday night, host Trish Regan asked Wead about Trump’s testy relationship with the press. She said she was “stunned” and “concerned” by members of the media accusing Trump of racism.

“They want him to be a racist, they say he’s a racist, but Donald Trump is not a racist,” Wead said.

He explained: “Five presidents in the modern era used the N-word in referring to African-Americans. LBJ was shameless about it”

Regan quickly cut in: “Alright, well, two wrongs don’t make a right. I don’t think we should compare them to those guys, but I see what you are saying.”

“Donald Trump did not, and has not,” Wead assured (a certain former Trump official would beg to differ).

“Well, nor should he,” Regan replied.

Charges of racism — which have been made against Trump since he was sued by the Nixon administration after the Justice Department uncovered evidence he was refusing to rent homes to black people — were reignited on Friday after he verbally attacked an African-American reporter.

CNN’s Abby Phillip asked the president if Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker would seek to reign in Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Trump shot back: “What a stupid question that is. What a stupid question. I watch you a lot. You ask a lot of stupid questions.”

Watch above, via Fox Business.

[H/t Brendan Karet]

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