Two years ago, when then-candidate Donald Trump was ushered into the presidency after what was the most bizarre election cycle that many have ever seen, many thought that being the leader of the free world would tone down the bombastic 70-year-old mogul hailing from the heart of New York City. However, Trump carried his overtones into the Oval Office, with many enjoying his non-traditional candor as a sign of “realness,” but others believed that the presidency should have been treated with a much more calm, collected, library-esque demeanor seen in many presidents of the past.
After 22 months in office, it seems that Trump is thinking about changing his attitude at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Recently, in a an interview with WJLA, President Trump, when asked if he would have done anything different during the first half of his first term in office, he said that he regretted the tone he has used with the American public.
“I would like to have a much softer tone. I feel to a certain extent I have no choice, but maybe I do,” Trump said.
He explained that he had a more aggressive tone than his predecessors because of his wishes to have a successful, jam-packed agenda aimed at continuing his campaign message of “Make America Great Again.” Nevertheless, he said that he could have been softer in his delivery.
Though, he also remarked that he had doubted such a softer tone would have led to a productive two years because he might have been “swamped” by those his opposition, both Democrats and Republicans. Following one what could be one of the most consequential midterm elections in a generation, Trump said his tone is something he will be working on and he hopes there will be more harmony between both parties in power.
“I would love to get along, and I think after the election a lot of things can happen. But right now they are in their mode, and we are in our mode. And you know if you’re criticized you have to hit back, or you should,” Trump explained.
Regardless of how the results fall on Election Day, the President says that he will reach out and extend an olive branch in the remaining two years of his first term. When asked about working with his opposition he said, “It is certainly better for the country. I hope that happens and we are certainly willing to do that. And think before anything else we have to get tomorrow [Election Day] over with.”
At a Monday night campaign rally hours ago, President Trump told a massive crowd of supporters that he “eventually” wants to unite the country. However, he explained that his actions and tone is leaving Democrats in a craze, which plays to opposition politics Republicans are campaign on.
“I do eventually want to unite, but the fact is, we’re driving them crazy,” Trump said inside a packed Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Indiana, The Hill reported.
“They’re going loco,” he added.
In the two years since the 2016 presidential election, which has featured a constant, seemingly raucous onslaught against his opponents, Trump’s demeanor may be beginning to wear on a majority of Americans. Although the economy has largely been his focus, with other domestic agenda items taking a backseat to the skyrocketing and record-breaking figures in job reports, the unemployment rate, wage increases, stock market records, trade deals, and putting American manufacturing back on the map, it is quite possible that the President may need to tone down his rhetoric to achieve success on immigration and infrastructure, among other things that Americans need.
One key aspect of the President’s tone has been the resistance movement on part of Democrats. While Trump seeks to extend an olive branch, will that be taken as a sign of good graces to get the country back in equilibrium, or will it be used to help the resistance draw closer to achieving their goal of impeachment and a complete take over of Congress? That is a question that still needs an answer.
Even if Trump’s aggressive character is fueled by the resistance opposition, one concept still reigns true – his base is enthralled by it. Even the President alluded to this Monday, asking the crowd of thousands, “is there anything like a Trump rally?”
No, there isn’t. But, is there more to the equation than rhetoric?