All presidential candidate Donald Trump had to do was adopt the campaign slogan “Make America Great Again” to 1) inspire a bunch of hot takes of how — ackshually — that phrasing was lifted from Nazi Germany, and 2) give us an Independence Day in which progressives flooded Twitter with the hashtag, #AmericaWasNeverGreat.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo chimed in last August, telling a crowd, “We are not going to make America great again. It was never that great…. We have not reached greatness.”

Then Eric Holder, the former attorney general held in contempt of Congress, asked on MSNBC just this March, “Exactly when do you think America was great?” adding that “this notion of greatness” takes us back to “an American past that never in fact really existed.”

We have a theory about progressives. America is great, but it’s never been perfect. We’ve made mistakes. And progressives consider themselves so ideologically pure they can’t be associated with something tainted by imperfection.

Those progressives should really enjoy this soundbite from 2020 hopeful Pete Buttigieg, who has jumped on the “America was never really that great” train.

Democrat presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg today in South Carolina: America “was never as great as advertised” pic.twitter.com/VdOxexSIHJ — Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) May 6, 2019

Someone should tell that to the tens of thousands of migrants arriving in caravans at the southern border: America isn’t as great as you’ve been led to believe; you’re better off just turning around and going back. Sure you’ve made a journey of a thousand miles to get here, but we can’t force a baker to make you a cake for your same-sex wedding.

Ask Europe if we aren’t as good as advertised. (Twice) pic.twitter.com/v8ExahqJv1 — El Hosel (@hosel_el) May 6, 2019

What’s new? Democrats have always hated America! — Lori Hendry (@Lrihendry) May 6, 2019

But now they hate capitalism too. Remember when Time Magazine correspondent Charlotte Alter complained that people her and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’ age had never experienced American prosperity in their adult lives? Poor dears, having it so much tougher than any generation before.

Why do people with these feelings want to stay here? — Joe Pallone (@Plonerock) May 6, 2019

And yet many walk miles and float on make shift rafts to get here.. ? — Maree (@manymagees) May 6, 2019

Taking a page out of Cuomo's book. That will go far with voters. — Jeffrey Redelman (@The_Jerf) May 6, 2019

Wow! I cannot imagine someone with that negative critical opinion of this country occupying the WH. I want our president to be patriotic and appreciative of the exceptionalism of this country. — Sherry Kerdman (@sherry_kerdman) May 6, 2019

Pick a date and name a country that was greater than America on that date. 1776 going forward. — Kent Bushart (@KentBushart) May 6, 2019

Did we say perfect? No, we said great. Great, with the DNA to make improvements and to provide the opportunity for more individual greatness. Our DNA is the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. It is three co-equal branches of government. That’s the greatness. — OODAN ? ?? (@purestlogic) May 6, 2019

And yet the liberal elite tell us the Constitution is “archaic” and “outdated” and we need to scrap the Second Amendment and the Electoral College and maybe even the Supreme Court and the Senate too.

BUTTIGIEG: "America was never as great as advertised" TRANSLATION: "We're going to take more of your rights away and tax you for the privilege" — wahsatchmo (@wahsatchmo) May 6, 2019

Democrats can only campaign on victimization. — GoneFishin/Golfing/Working (@bankrunner5) May 6, 2019

I'd say it is sir @PeteButtigieg. It's one of the reasons why I enlisted in the Marine Corps. If America has never been great as advertised, as you say, then what has it been for the past 243 years? — Kurt Michaelson ن (@kurtmichaelson) May 6, 2019

Yet here he is running for President. Stop being scammed by the left people. Our good will has been taken advantage of for decades. — James V ?? (@jamiejamesv1) May 6, 2019

Good luck with that kid. — Patrick Snow (@FlyNavydawg) May 6, 2019

This should play really well with the AOC/Ilhan Omar crowd. pic.twitter.com/i53eEZOZQL — Tristan Pinnock (@tpinnock) May 6, 2019

Yeah that's a winning slogan. Honestly though, this is just an attempt to get back into the news, outrage people etc. He's fading because his only claim was a faux feud with Pence. — Christopher R Taylor (@KestrelArts) May 6, 2019

Looking forward to “Mayor Pete” moving to a Theocracy ran by Muslim Clerics. I’m sure that will work out fine. #MayorPete #Illinformed #RomansOneThirtyTwo — Tim McGuire (@Browntruck1980) May 6, 2019

Pete in South Bend – well, he’s never here so skip that part – 7,000 kids left the school system – Most dangerous city in Indiana – Zero job growth – Crumbling streets/sidewalks – Economic stagnation — Tyler Gillean (@TylerGillean) May 6, 2019

So brave. So inspiring.? — David King (@kingdavidatx) May 6, 2019

Well, I’m 67 years old and trust me, America was great before the left started pushing cultural norms over the cliff. — Glen Gagnon (@RetiredGlen) May 6, 2019

Truth — Debbie DePaola (@akaddepaola) May 6, 2019

These Dem politicians always fail to grasp is that it was never about going back in time, but moving forward to a new chapter of greatness for the country after enduring 8 yrs of mediocrity and apology tours. — John D Porter (@txndc) May 6, 2019

Perfectly said — sarahscrambles (@sarahcarnello) May 6, 2019

File this one under one more take we wouldn’t be hearing if Hillary Clinton were coronated as was meant to be.

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