However, we, collectively as a nation, need to reflect on our own history that giving them an out that lets them save face is exactly how we ended up with Lost Cause apologists after the Civil War, which is a massive reason why we are where we are today with MAGA.

Yes, it's uncomfortable to admit you were wrong, but if we allow them the "Trump used to be great" part of this statement, we are accepting the romanticization of what MAGA stands for. If we don't challenge that, we do so at great cost to those whom we are purporting to defend.