Why President Trump Will Forever Sadden Me
By: Mandy Mcelroy
Tags: Sadness, Politics, Arrogance, Self

Photo credit Charles Deluvio Unsplash

This was the least offensive picture I could find of President Trump that allowed me to be unconcerned about copyright infringement. I searched far and wide for a photo that didn’t portray him as a hate monger, a very angry one. Unlike President Trump, I don’t wish to portray him at his worst, appearing as though he is angry with the world. I want to be fair.

I’m sure he must smile at times, I just don’t recall seeing him do so, and was able to locate NO photo of him smiling. Not even the slightest hint of one. That’s strange if you consider presidents who have served within the past 80 or so years. When have you not seen a photo of one of them smiling? And this was when hardly anyone had a camera at hand, but there seem to be plenty available. Not so with Mr. Trump.

The thing about President Trump, other than the fact that I disagree with virtually all of his policies, is the level of disrespect he openly displays for almost everyone on the planet. It’s hurtful to me as a person. Embarrassing definitely. Once the United States was thought and spoken of almost reverently, no longer. When did I begin to notice this change? When President Trump took office.

There were several outlandish things he did and said while running for office. But one, in particular, stands out. It was the day I saw him openly mock a reporter who was physically disabled. I do not recall the medical term for this man’s condition, whatever it was hampered his ability to control the movement of his arms. I fail to remember why Mr. Trump was so angry with the reporter, but that is completely irrelevant. It’s fine to disagree with people, even become angry with them, often justifiably so. But regardless of what caused the difference of opinion, or brought about the anger on the part of Mr. Trump, it’s never acceptable to mock someone who is disabled through no fault of their own.

This was in the summer of 2016 if memory serves me correctly, so at that point, I had seen numerous examples of Mr. Trump’s reprehensible conduct and disparaging of others. But this particular day I felt he sank to a new low. I have been voting since the late’70s, and never in my life have I seen anything remotely close to that level of behavior from anyone seeking national office. I remember watching reruns of this clip for days as not only I but numerous others were utterly aghast. I couldn’t believe our country had a candidate running for national office whose behavior can only be described as reprehensible. What had happened?

How could I be so shocked at this man’s conduct, and others not? What did they not see that I did? Or why did they think it was alright for a president of the United States of America to demean and disparage others? Especially those who were weaker than he was. Isn’t that bullying? He even called his fellow Republicans names. I was baffled then, even more so when these opponents suddenly changed their tune once Mr. Trump was elected. Instantly all was forgiven and forgotten. They were all now best friends.

It didn’t stop there, once in office, Mr. Trump harshly criticized members of his own handpicked cabinet if they did or said something that angered him. Eventually, it seemed they either resigned or were fired.

I’ve always thought of myself as very thin-skinned. Ordinarily, criticism hurts me more than angers me. But President Trump is the polar opposite. Not only does he punish those who anger him by firing them, calling them names, making fun of painfully sad life situations, but he also seeks retribution. It usually comes fast and hard. He insults fellow world leaders and openly embarrasses them also. He has undone the goodwill around the world our country has forever worked to established.

Yet I’m honestly not angry with President Trump. I am sad. Sad that his insolence and incompetence have hurt not only our fellow citizens but people throughout the world. And he has fanned flames, done his best to encourage his supporters to consider his opponents as enemies.

Maybe it makes no sense to those who might read this that I say I’m not angry. Part of that is my baseline personality. I might find President Trump to be personally repugnant, but I wish him no harm. The reason thoughts of him will forever sadden me is that I am hurt. I ache for all who have suffered due to the actions or inactions of President Trump. And for the divisions, he has caused between our citizens. So many people who were formerly friends are now enemies. I can find no reason to attribute this painful occurrence to anything other than President Trump and his encouragement that it continue and worsen.

I’ve never written anything political because I know it stirs strong feelings. I have wonderful friends who support President Trump. I try to separate the fact that we have such opposing views, from the good things I love about them. I don’t dislike them because they support President Trump, I just don’t understand why. And that makes me sad. When I reflect on my belief President Trump has changed this country for the worst in so many ways, in the future I will never fail to be puzzled, and forever be sad.