Bill O'Reilly: Slaves Who Built White House 'Were Well Fed'

Fox News anchor Bill O’Reilly said Michelle Obama's remarks about slaves building the White House during her speech at the Democratic National Convention left out some facts – including that slaves were "were well fed and had decent lodgings provided by the government."

In his fact-check Tuesday night on "The O'Reilly Factor," he praised the first lady's remarks "referring to the evolution of America," calling it "a positive comment."

"Slaves did participate in the construction of the White House," he said. "Records show about 400 payments made to slave masters between 1759 and 1801. In addition, free blacks, whites, and immigrants also worked on the massive building."

"Slaves that worked there were well fed and had decent lodgings provided by the government, which stopped hiring slave labor in 1802," he added.

"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?"

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