The worst president in American history | Gary Gallagher and Lex Fridman

The discussion begins with Lincoln's colonization policy from summer 1862, where he attempted to convince Black leaders that freed enslaved people should relocate outside the United States. Gallagher explains this likely stemmed from Lincoln's genuine belief, shaped by his Kentucky and southern Illinois upbringing, that white Americans would never accept Black people as equals. Despite this troubling position, Gallagher notes the tension between America's foundational claim that "all men are created equal" and the reality of its racial practices.

A key theme emerges around Lincoln's capacity for evolution and growth during the Civil War years. Gallagher suggests that had Lincoln survived assassination, he might have arrived at substantially different views on race and other issues. This adaptability is presented as a defining strength that set him apart from his successors.

The conversation then pivots to presidential failure, with Gallagher establishing a hierarchy of the worst presidents. Andrew Johnson ranks second-worst, characterized as extremely prejudiced, unable to move beyond lifelong grievances, and immalleable in his thinking. James Buchanan occupies the lowest tier—described as a "hack" who advanced through political party loyalty and responded to the secession crisis by hiding, essentially abdicating presidential responsibility.

The discussion concludes by synthesizing what makes an effective president: a combination of backbone (willingness to take unpopular stands and rule against consensus), political savvy, and genuine malleability when presented with compelling evidence or counsel. Lincoln exemplifies this through an anecdote where he overrode his entire cabinet's unanimous opposition to pursue a course he believed correct.