LATEST

EDITORIAL – Trump quickly proves election hasn’t changed him

An ArmchairMayor editorial by Mel Rothenburger.

OUTGOING U.S. President Barack Obama made a salient point in the dying days of the election campaign — he said people don’t suddenly change after an election. He was talking, of course, about Donald Trump, and his point was that “Mr.” Trump will be the same nasty person after he becomes president as he’s demonstrated throughout the campaign.

Change of address won't change the man.

Change of address won’t change the man. (White House photo – Twitter)

Well, Trump managed to appear more “presidential” for less than 48 hours. Even the media were praising his “gracious” albeit brief acceptance speech because he actually complimented Hillary Clinton. He even said he wants to be the president for all Americans because “this is so important to me.”

And during a meeting with Obama Thursday, he called the president “a very good man,” a refreshing change from the insults Trump hurled Obama’s way on the hustings.

But the protesters got to him. Thousands have been marching in dozens of U.S. cities in protest against the election of this man who lost the popular vote but won the office of president because the screwy electoral college system in the U.S.

trumptweet-protestersSo, true to form, he hit back at his detractors, returning to Twitter to claim the protesters were “professionals” and that they were being incited by the media.

Two things here, maybe three. One is that peaceful protest is a right and a tradition in that country, as it is here at home. If the president-elect listened to what the protesters were saying he would understand they aren’t “professional protesters” but people who are deeply wounded by his victory. People who are sincerely worried.

Another is that the media must have a lot more clout than Trump has previously given them credit for if they can order up protests just to get back at him. What a ridiculous claim.

Trump could simply have reiterated the sentiment in his acceptance speech, could have said he hears their concerns, that he understands them, they needn’t worry, and he intends to prove he can bring people together. End of tweet.

But he couldn’t even do that. Because he hasn’t changed, and won’t change just because he’s about to change is address to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.

mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Mel Rothenburger's avatar
About Mel Rothenburger (11875 Articles)
ArmchairMayor.ca is a forum about Kamloops and the world. It has more than one million views. Mel Rothenburger is the former Editor of The Daily News in Kamloops, B.C. (retiring in 2012), and past mayor of Kamloops (1999-2005). At ArmchairMayor.ca he is the publisher, editor, news editor, city editor, reporter, webmaster, and just about anything else you can think of. He is grateful for the contributions of several local columnists. This blog doesn't require a subscription but gratefully accepts donations to help defray costs.

6 Comments on EDITORIAL – Trump quickly proves election hasn’t changed him

  1. -The ‘deeply wounded’ -as you have referred to them- sort of seemed to need democracy, because (based on the fact it took only one day to get them protest to the almost point of violence on the street) it seems to suggest that their willingness to forfeit democratically elected principles makes them much surer to accept their own brand of fascism for the United States of America: just because it suits them and their minority needs over the entire populace.
    Heck, we might as well just give them the White House to burn down a second time, all because they think they’re right just because it didn’t go their way and feel ‘threatened’ by his verbosity.

    Heck, maybe we can even throw in one of his grandchildren to these self-centered masses…
    -We live in a very selfish generation based on self-serving rather than self-sacrificing actions and technology didn’t help when it got ramped up to the individual cellphone level.

    Like

  2. Remember, you can criticize ideas and opinions but you cannot criticize the person…at least that is what the editor reminded me in the past.

    Like

  3. Sit in your armchair with a Brandy and a corncob pipe and re-iterate to yourself there is no such thing as professional protesters, and that the media does not have any clout. You are the media and incite such comments. Yesterdays morning news showed protester using their lawful right to protest, but only show the protesters in states that were won by Hilary Clinton. Until the day the media becomes unbiased and reports both sides of the story then we can start believing what we are shown, until then most are sheep, being led by what they are told and shown.

    Like

  4. Unknown's avatar Ken McClelland // November 11, 2016 at 9:38 AM // Reply

    And just what good does an after-the-fact protest accomplish? The election result is final, decisive, and not up for debate or challenge. It doesn’t mean you have to like it, but you do have to accept it. Life is like that sometimes, and it is part of being a mature adult. Temper tantrums seldom get you anywhere. I suppose it gives the protesters an excuse to not look for a job, or if they have a job, call in sick, again.

    Like

  5. why would the leader of the most powerful nation on earth cow-tow to a bunch of sore loser crybabies?

    Like

  6. Spoiled and temperamental little Richie Rich just got a brand new toy. How long before he breaks it ?
    The man is a egotistical pig ( look at me..look at me ) and will always be one.
    Good luck America, Good luck world.

    Like

Leave a comment