Morning Wire Was Christopher Columbus A Great Man? With Michael Knowles
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Oct 12, 2025 
Michael Knowles, a political commentator and host of The Michael Knowles Show, dives deep into the legacy of Christopher Columbus. He argues against modern criticisms, claiming they often stem from revisionist history. Knowles shares how Columbus defended indigenous people and details his tenacity in securing support for his voyages. He also discusses Columbus’s faith-driven motives and predicts a resurgence in patriotic views of him. Overall, Knowles paints a complex picture of Columbus as both a pioneer and a controversial figure.
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Attacks Driven By Ideology Not Evidence
- Michael Knowles argues modern attacks on Columbus rely more on ideology than new historical evidence.
- He says many claims stem from political rivals and a cultural impulse to denigrate Western history.
Blamed For Others' Crimes
- Knowles highlights that Columbus was often blamed for abuses committed by later settlers.
- He notes Columbus explicitly told Spaniards not to mistreat the natives and sometimes intervened to protect them.
Personality Won The Voyage
- Knowles recounts Columbus persuading Isabella and Ferdinand to fund his voyage through sheer force of personality.
- He cites Bartolome de las Casas saying Columbus succeeded more because of his personality than plausibility.
