As a mighty US armada bobs in the Caribbean off the shores of Venezuela, President Trump just addressed the nation from the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House. With characteristic delicacy and understatement, he outlined the accomplishments of the first 11 months of his second term in office, lightly criticized his predecessor and cautiously opined about what the future held in store for the United States of America in the coming semiquincentennial year.
Well, some viewers may wish to dispute my emphases and assessments of tone. But let’s just say that the President’s short speech was vintage Trump. It was hyperbolic, yes, over the top, indubitably, but in essence 100 percent true. The simple truth is that the whirlwind that is Donald Trump has accomplished more in 11 months than most presidents have achieved in eight years.
Really, what was Trump elected to do? Well, to seal the southern border. He has done that. To remove illegal immigrants from our country. He is well on the way to doing that, too. Trump was elected also to take on the whole DEI establishment. He certainly has done that. Then there are all the economic issues: energy, including the “green energy scam.” All of that is quickly becoming a vague memory scene in Al Gore’s rearview mirror. Above all, Trump was elected to restore confidence in and enthusiasm about the United States of America. That current of cultural self-confidence is absolutely central fulfilling the imperative of “Make America Great Again.”
Trump’s little speech from the White House was essentially an inventory of these and other accomplishments and other promissory notes. No one familiar with his stump speeches will be surprised that he cut to the chase and was longer on enthusiasm that he was on particulars. That said, his litany of accomplishments and promises for the future are all in line with what he and his team have managed to deliver over the last 11 months. It really is an extraordinary series of accomplishments, in the economy, in energy, and in cultural self-confidence generally.
Donald Trump has very much taken to heart the wisdom contained in the Gospel parable about not hiding your light under a bushel. When he says that “we have achieved more than anyone could imagine,” churls, pedants and sophisters purse their lips and tut-tut about braggadocio. But the truth is that Trump is simply stating the truth. Prescription drug prices really are falling like never before. Energy prices are plummeting. Trillions and trillions of dollars have been invested in the United States from abroad. The economy is poised to soar next year. When Trump says that he has achieved more in the Middle East than anyone else in “3,000 years,” his detractors are wont to titter. But he has simply stated the truth and left out the false modesty. “We are putting America first,” he concluded, noting that the Untied States is “poised for an economic boom the likes of which the world has never seen.” I think he is right about that. Let’s bring back the professional naysayers next year about this time and see how things look.
