It's Time to Acknowledge: Trump Is an Effective President, Striving to Be a Better One.
The most impactful presidents created divisions within the nation, prior to “reuniting it on a new level of understanding.”
TroibNews 
In his second inaugural address, Donald J. Trump embodied his supporters' expectations: he was ambitious in his vision to reshape the vast federal government; he expressed brash nationalism, asserting that the U.S. would pursue its interests globally without hesitation; and he proclaimed triumphantly that surviving an assassin's bullet and winning the presidency marked him as God's chosen leader for an American revival.
Conversely, he reflected the fears of his adversaries: his tone was messianic; he expressed a strong attachment to his grievances; and he showed a lack of generosity toward the people seated just feet away from him in the Capitol Rotunda, whom he had decisively defeated.
In many ways, his approach felt familiar.
However, this second occasion of Trump taking the oath of office also cast him in a new light. He is now holding power under conditions that compel reasonable observers to acknowledge a fundamental truth: he stands as the most significant American figure of his era.
It’s important to clarify that "great" in this context is not a subjective assessment of his moral character or capabilities; it is an objective reflection of the scope of his impact. Over the last decade, Trump has come to dominate the Republican Party, subsequently shaping the broader discourse of American politics. His remarkable comeback after losing to Joseph Biden in 2020, paired with the notoriety surrounding the January 6 riot, has revealed what he is not, while highlighting one crucial reality about him.
He is not a fluke who triumphed in 2016 primarily because of his opponent’s weaknesses. He is not a figure misunderstood by the American electorate as if Democrats and the media have not spent years illuminating the dangers of his character and record.
Rather, he possesses a unique ability to identify opportunities that others overlook and to forge lasting connections with various segments of the population in a way no other contemporary figure can. In essence, he has become a historical force.
This aspect has always been recognized by his most fervent supporters—who have yet to achieve a national majority—but it’s a realization that many, including myself, have approached more cautiously. The inaugural address, along with the hundreds of executive orders he has pledged to enact immediately, has made this impossible to overlook.
For Democrats—particularly President Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris—the inaugural ceremony was akin to a meal prepared from scraps. Yet, after grappling with this moment, they might find a certain freedom. They can no longer rely on a strategy that previously seemed promising but is now a mere illusion. The notion of marginalizing Trump by viewing him as a fleeting anomaly or simply condemning him as unlawful and illegitimate has proven ineffective.
While some voters may have believed this narrative, it was not enough to secure victory in an election. Opponents are now compelled to recognize that he and his movement signify a substantial historical narrative—a reality that requires them to gather equally compelling arguments to counter his influence. Trump illustrated in 2020 a willingness to undermine democracy for his ends, and in 2024, he revealed himself as a significant expression of democracy.
The most extravagant statements from Trump’s inaugural address—such as “Drill, baby, drill!”; plans to reclaim the Panama Canal; a proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America; and sending federal troops to the border—are all sincere reflections of his worldview. Such declarations leave ample room for debate. While Trump may have managed to surpass his vulnerabilities related to the January 6 events, he cannot evade a genuine competition over contrasting visions for America’s future.
This competition may gain traction if opponents accept that Trump has already begun to display characteristics of some of the most impactful presidents. Like his influential predecessors, he has altered the terms of political discourse in ways that resonate across party lines, particularly on issues like trade, relations with China, and the role of large corporations.
Much like other influential presidents, Trump has been an innovator in communication, leveraging technological advancements more successfully than his rivals. In this regard, his adept use of social media mirrors Franklin D. Roosevelt’s command of radio and John F. Kennedy’s and Ronald Reagan’s mastery of television—even if his style lacks the traditional eloquence expected of a president.
Another hallmark of the most significant presidents is an extraordinary psychological resilience. Contemplate those facing legal troubles; even when they ultimately prevail, they can often diminish in spirit from the ordeal. Now imagine a candidate running for president beset by major civil suits, criminal prosecutions, and felony charges—and emerging from this chaos as a more prominent figure than before. While not everyone must admire this feat, it is essential to recognize Trump’s rare qualities of denial, aggression, and resilience.
Regarding his divisiveness, one might ponder whether such a polarizing figure could ever be counted among the nation's greatest presidents, easily recited by schoolchildren.
This situation reminds me of a conversation I had just before Bill Clinton began his second term with the esteemed liberal historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. Continuing a tradition established by his father, Schlesinger conducted surveys ranking American presidents. During this conversation, he expressed skepticism about Clinton's potential for greatness, pointing out that true greatness often comes from leaders who unify only in hindsight. He noted that historically significant presidents often divided the nation before reconciling it on a new trajectory of understanding.
Franklin D. Roosevelt echoed that sentiment when he said: “All our great presidents were leaders of thought at a time when certain ideas in the life of our nation had to be clarified.” He also remarked: “I ask you to judge me by the enemies I have made.”
For Trump, the implications of these reflections are complex. He appears poised to utilize his second term and second chance to further polarize the nation on issues such as immigration, foreign policy, and educational curriculums that he accuses of instilling shame in children about their country, among numerous other topics.
What was absent from his first term, as well as from his unexpected route to a second, was the capacity to drive these conflicts toward resolution or unite the country through a deeper understanding. Achieving this would demand a significant shift in Trump’s self-perception and a reevaluation of how he chooses to wield power in the next four years.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
Conversely, he reflected the fears of his adversaries: his tone was messianic; he expressed a strong attachment to his grievances; and he showed a lack of generosity toward the people seated just feet away from him in the Capitol Rotunda, whom he had decisively defeated.
In many ways, his approach felt familiar.
However, this second occasion of Trump taking the oath of office also cast him in a new light. He is now holding power under conditions that compel reasonable observers to acknowledge a fundamental truth: he stands as the most significant American figure of his era.
It’s important to clarify that "great" in this context is not a subjective assessment of his moral character or capabilities; it is an objective reflection of the scope of his impact. Over the last decade, Trump has come to dominate the Republican Party, subsequently shaping the broader discourse of American politics. His remarkable comeback after losing to Joseph Biden in 2020, paired with the notoriety surrounding the January 6 riot, has revealed what he is not, while highlighting one crucial reality about him.
He is not a fluke who triumphed in 2016 primarily because of his opponent’s weaknesses. He is not a figure misunderstood by the American electorate as if Democrats and the media have not spent years illuminating the dangers of his character and record.
Rather, he possesses a unique ability to identify opportunities that others overlook and to forge lasting connections with various segments of the population in a way no other contemporary figure can. In essence, he has become a historical force.
This aspect has always been recognized by his most fervent supporters—who have yet to achieve a national majority—but it’s a realization that many, including myself, have approached more cautiously. The inaugural address, along with the hundreds of executive orders he has pledged to enact immediately, has made this impossible to overlook.
For Democrats—particularly President Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris—the inaugural ceremony was akin to a meal prepared from scraps. Yet, after grappling with this moment, they might find a certain freedom. They can no longer rely on a strategy that previously seemed promising but is now a mere illusion. The notion of marginalizing Trump by viewing him as a fleeting anomaly or simply condemning him as unlawful and illegitimate has proven ineffective.
While some voters may have believed this narrative, it was not enough to secure victory in an election. Opponents are now compelled to recognize that he and his movement signify a substantial historical narrative—a reality that requires them to gather equally compelling arguments to counter his influence. Trump illustrated in 2020 a willingness to undermine democracy for his ends, and in 2024, he revealed himself as a significant expression of democracy.
The most extravagant statements from Trump’s inaugural address—such as “Drill, baby, drill!”; plans to reclaim the Panama Canal; a proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America; and sending federal troops to the border—are all sincere reflections of his worldview. Such declarations leave ample room for debate. While Trump may have managed to surpass his vulnerabilities related to the January 6 events, he cannot evade a genuine competition over contrasting visions for America’s future.
This competition may gain traction if opponents accept that Trump has already begun to display characteristics of some of the most impactful presidents. Like his influential predecessors, he has altered the terms of political discourse in ways that resonate across party lines, particularly on issues like trade, relations with China, and the role of large corporations.
Much like other influential presidents, Trump has been an innovator in communication, leveraging technological advancements more successfully than his rivals. In this regard, his adept use of social media mirrors Franklin D. Roosevelt’s command of radio and John F. Kennedy’s and Ronald Reagan’s mastery of television—even if his style lacks the traditional eloquence expected of a president.
Another hallmark of the most significant presidents is an extraordinary psychological resilience. Contemplate those facing legal troubles; even when they ultimately prevail, they can often diminish in spirit from the ordeal. Now imagine a candidate running for president beset by major civil suits, criminal prosecutions, and felony charges—and emerging from this chaos as a more prominent figure than before. While not everyone must admire this feat, it is essential to recognize Trump’s rare qualities of denial, aggression, and resilience.
Regarding his divisiveness, one might ponder whether such a polarizing figure could ever be counted among the nation's greatest presidents, easily recited by schoolchildren.
This situation reminds me of a conversation I had just before Bill Clinton began his second term with the esteemed liberal historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. Continuing a tradition established by his father, Schlesinger conducted surveys ranking American presidents. During this conversation, he expressed skepticism about Clinton's potential for greatness, pointing out that true greatness often comes from leaders who unify only in hindsight. He noted that historically significant presidents often divided the nation before reconciling it on a new trajectory of understanding.
Franklin D. Roosevelt echoed that sentiment when he said: “All our great presidents were leaders of thought at a time when certain ideas in the life of our nation had to be clarified.” He also remarked: “I ask you to judge me by the enemies I have made.”
For Trump, the implications of these reflections are complex. He appears poised to utilize his second term and second chance to further polarize the nation on issues such as immigration, foreign policy, and educational curriculums that he accuses of instilling shame in children about their country, among numerous other topics.
What was absent from his first term, as well as from his unexpected route to a second, was the capacity to drive these conflicts toward resolution or unite the country through a deeper understanding. Achieving this would demand a significant shift in Trump’s self-perception and a reevaluation of how he chooses to wield power in the next four years.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
