Historian Douglas Brinkley: Trump speech at Gettysburg "would be a terrible blunder"

Why Gettysburg is appealing, according to Brinkley:

• Gettysburg is in Pennsylvania, a key swing state that Trump barely won in 2016 and wants to hold onto.
• Like his July 3 speech at Mt. Rushmore, this would be a way for Trump to continue to embrace national monuments and position himself as their protector — all while suggesting that the Democrats would cave to pressure from radicals who want to tear them down.
• It would allow him to attempt to align himself with military veterans.
• Logistically, Gettysburg is close to Camp David, allowing easy preparation.
• In a broader sense, Lincoln is one of the most popular and respected presidents, so it makes sense that Trump — as he has done in the past — would want to attempt to invite flattering historical comparisons.

The big picture: Brinkley believes that any attempt to politicize the battlefield could backfire, adding that Trump would be better advised to speak from the White House — which is not without controversy but could be justifiable as his "workplace" amid a pandemic.

• "It shows an utter lack of understanding about what a military battlefield is. It's not to promote yourself for your own nomination, it should be sacrosanct for all Americans," he said.
• "It's a place to bow your head and reflect and instead Trump is going to pound his chest," he added.