Trump Creates Problems Without Solving Them
This letter to the editor, by Kerry Kittel, appeared in the Hudson Star Observer on August 13, 2026.
America’s greatest presidents had a gift for crafting and delivering major addresses to the nation. Those speeches were made to unify and uplift the people. Most identified challenges and offered specific ideas for meeting them while making America a stronger, better, safer place in which to live.
George Washington’s Farewell Address warned of the dangers of political parties.
Abraham Lincoln spoke on the need for conciliation and healing after the Civil War.
Franklin Roosevelt sought to reassure Americans during the Great Depression and World War II, while outlining specific actions designed to win each struggle.
John F. Kennedy challenged Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
Lyndon Johnson called for protecting the civil rights of all Americans and the creation of a “Great Society.”
Ronald Reagan challenged Russian leader Gorbachev to “tear down this wall.”
Our current one, Donald Trump, promised “really big news” to hype a recent address to the nation. He might have addressed the war in Iran, ways to solve the inflation crisis, the loss of manufacturing jobs and plans to create more or a plan to reform Immigration and Customs Enforcement and end the daily assaults and frequent shootings of American citizens and legal residents.
Unlike those previous presidents, Trump has no interest in meeting real challenges facing our nation or people. Instead, he focused on a nonexistent problem that only he cares about: the 2020 election.
MAGA supporters had a collective meltdown because two networks, exercising First Amendment rights, did not carry the speech live. They ignored the legitimate reason for national outrage. Trump abdicated his duty to respond to crises, all of which he created, to focus on the 2020 election.
Trump is much better at creating problems than solving them. And when he speaks to the American public, he demonstrates that he is much better at putting himself on a pedestal and evading responsibility than he is at lifting us up with inspiring words.