Trump's ineffectual attack on the Kennedys:
A Small Man Helplessly Tries to Erase the Beloved President and First Lady
John Kennedy’s father, Joseph Kennedy, did amass wealth largely through banking investments, real estate, and film making, as Trump’s father, Fred, amassed wealth through real estate. While Fred Trump wanted his sons to walk in his footsteps and continue growing their real estate empire, Joseph Kennedy envisioned his sons obtaining a good education and seeking political office to participate in public service, which he believed to be their duty and destiny. He wanted these things for himself but suffered discrimination as an Irish Catholic who lacked social standing as a young man. While Joseph Kennedy did believe that public service and holding high office would improve social standing, he also believed that his sons had a responsibility to serve their country. It was Joseph Kennedy’s hope that his namesake, Joseph Jr., would eventually be president. However, having previously graduated from Harvard, Joseph Jr. died serving in World War II.
John F. Kennedy, Joseph’s second son graduated from Harvard University in 1940 and began graduate school at Stanford University before World War II broke out. Like his older brother, he also served in World War II. In August of 1943, he was serving as a Commander on the Pacific Theater when his PT-109 boat was struck and sunk by a Japanese destroyer. In that moment, JFK organized the survival of crew and swam for hours, towing one of his injured crew members. His heroism during that incident earned him the Navy and Marine Corps Medal and the Purple Heart.
In juxtaposition, Fred Trump’s older son, Fred, Jr., decided that he did not want to follow in his father’s footsteps. Rather, he wanted to become an airline pilot, and so he did. This disappointed Fred Trump to no end, and his behavior towards his eldest son was known to be cruel. Not wanting to be on the wrong end of his father’s cruelty, Donald Trump followed him into the family business. Unfortunately, after alcoholism took over his life, Fred, Jr. tried to return to the family business, only to die of a heart attack at the age of 42. Fred Trump ultimately gave his younger son money to start his own business, and while it is the subject of debate whether he lost that money or squandered it, it is not up for debate that his businesses filed bankruptcy many times, and his father had to bail him out with gifts and lines of credit in numerous instances. Trump’s failed businesses, some of which are listed below. are substantial:
Trump Casinos
Trump Shuttle
Trump University
Trump Institute
Trump Mortgage
Trump Fragrance
Trump Home
Trump Ice
GoTrump.com
Trump Vodka
Trump Steaks
The Vietnam War raged from 1955-1975. It was long, costly, and angered many Americans that felt they should not have been dragged into another endless foreign conflict. During those years, 58,220 U.S. military died in combat. Donald Trump started college at Fordham University in 1964 and ultimately transferred to Wharton, from which he graduated in 1968 with a degree in economics. He received multiple deferments (college and medical for “bone spurs), never serving in the military:
July 28, 1964: First 2-S (college) deferment.
December 14, 1965: Second college deferment.
December 1966: 2-S deferment renewed. (His previous deferment had expired in November 1966, reclassifying him as 1-A).
January 16, 1968: Fourth and final college deferment.
One medical deferment:
October 15, 1968: Reclassified 1-Y (qualified for service only in time of war or national emergency) based on a physical examination that resulted in "DISQ" (disqualified) on September 19, 1968. This medical deferment was reportedly due to bone spurs in his heels.
February 17, 1972: Reclassified 4-F (not qualified for military service).
In 1960, Kennedy only narrowly defeated Richard Nixon for the presidency, but in the short time prior to his assassination on November 22, 1963, his accomplishments were vast. Kennedy was credited with taking a firm yet measured response to the Soviet Union’s attempt to place nuclear missiles in Cuba and averting a potential nuclear conflict. With his famous “moonshot speech,” he brought the country behind the idea of landing a man on the moon by the end of the decade and leading the Soviet Union in the “space race.” Though he knew he was facing tremendous resistance, he pressed on the issue of civil rights, proposing the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was passed under Johnson. He established the United States Peace Corps, which sends American volunteers to developing countries to play an integral role in the development of social and economic systems. While Kennedy never used the term “soft power,” he understood the benefits of the United States presence in these places as a force for good that filled a void that could have easily been taken advantage of by our enemies. He implemented policies that stimulated economic growth at home, such as tax cuts and an increased minimum wage. He negotiated the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty with the then Soviet Union. He initiated the Alliance for Progress the goal of which was fostering economic development in Latin America, which further showed his understanding of what we now call soft power. He appointed several African Americans to high-level positions within the administration, showing that his commitment to Civil Rights was not mere talk. Finally, he stressed that the new frontier for the United States would be that of progress and innovation, and renewed America’s belief that Americans could accomplish and do anything together.
Of course, behind every great man is a strong woman, and Kennedy chose well. Jacqueline Kennedy was not merely a style icon, she was an educated and cultured person, who opened the world of the arts to everyone. Starting college at Vassar, she graduated from George Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in French Literature. She founded the White House Historical Association which had as its goals to both study and preserve the White House. Furthermore, she pressed for a bill that made the furnishings of the White House the property of The Smithsonian Institution so that no President could seek to take furnishings with them upon departing the presidency. She further established the Committee for the Preservation of the White House, a committee that oversaw the restoration efforts, and she created the permanent position, White House Curator. In keeping with this effort, she created the White House Endowment Trust and Acquisition Trust to financially support the preservation. She brought Americans into the White House through her 1962 televised White House tour, connecting the American public with their important history. One of her most famous projects was her renovation and preservation of the White House Rose Garden. Known for her style, she also helped to promote American culture and fashion around the world.
Together the Kennedys hosted many live performances in the White House and cultivated relationships with artists and writers, bringing focus to their contribution to the American experience. With his wife’s help, he laid the groundwork for the creation of the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities, which still provides funding for both artistic and cultural endeavors throughout the United States. His State Department sent performing artists all over the world in an effort to promote uniquely American culture around the globe. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was intended to memorialize his contribution to the arts. In his famous Amherst speech, Kennedy stated:
I look forward to an America which will reward achievement in the arts as we reward achievement in business and statecraft. I look forward to an America which will steadily raise the standards of artistic accomplishment and which will steadily enlarge cultural opportunities for all of our citizens. And I look forward to an America which commands respect throughout the world not only for its strength, but for its civilization as well.
When Trump first won election in 2016, it was actually doubtful whether his third wife, Melania would follow him to the White House. Their marriage had long since become one of convenience. They slept in separate rooms, and Melania largely cared for and raised their son, Baron. However, she did eventually agree to move the White House after a rumored amended Prenuptial Agreement. Her only efforts during that administration, renewed for this second one, was her “Be Best” campaign, aimed at online bullying and often a target for those who point out that her own husband is one of the worst online bullies.
A psychologist would not have to work hard to see that first half year of Trump’s second administration has been an effort to trample on the beloved President Kennedy in particular. Trump spent the prior four years angry at being held accountable for trying to engage in an insurrection and remain in power. He spent the last six months like a bull in a china shop, taking a proverbial baseball bat to seemingly anything associated with the accomplishments of Kennedy. He is a narcissist who is not good at hiding his narcissism, but he cannot understand why he is not beloved and held up as an example like Kennedy. It is not that he truly wants to do good things in the world but rather than he wants to collect adulation like one collects trophees. He comes from a world in which he could tell people he accomplished something when he had not, and people believed it because he said it on tv. Now, curtain has been pulled, and the Wizard is revealed to be a shallow and angry man who played a successful mogel on tv.
Targeted actions of Trump during the last six months:
Threatening Harvard and Colombia regarding their foreign students and permitting protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Removing Harvard’s federal funding.
Successful efforts to dismantle U.S. soft power throughout the world, including efforts to defund the Peace Corp again.
Fired the entire board of the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and took over himself, removing anything from the intended program deemed to focus on the LGBTQ community.
Proposed significant cuts to the White House Historic Preservation Fund
Paved over Jacqueline Kennedy’s restored White House Rose Garden.
Yes, a small man lashes out at the ghost of a great one. It will all be restored in three and one half years, when the toddler’s tantrum is brought to an end and order is restored. Say something. Do something. Every day. Be part of the return to sanity and democracy.
