[ConservativeMind]

“As he began forging his political ambitions, Lincoln recognized the power of words to weaken and even destroy his opponents, and so he started to attack them with powerful volleys of criticism and mockery. Upon provocation at a political gathering in 1840, Lincoln mimicked and ridiculed his opponent, Jess Thomas, to uproarious cheering of the crowd. Thomas, who was present at the event, was reduced to tears, and for years afterwards, the people referred to it as “the skinning of Thomas.” “

https://www.inc.com/hitendra-wadhwa/lessons-in-leadership-how-abraham-lincoln-became-americas-greatest-president.html

[wideminded]

Thanks for telling me about that incident, which I had not heard about. Apparently during a speech in 1840, Lincoln attacked a politician and former judge named Jesse B. Thomas, Jr., accurately imitating Thomas's speech, gestures, and other body movements.

In contrast to the current situation, Lincoln appears to have reformed after this incident, which he apologized for and told others he greatly regretted.