Former President Barack Obama offered a July 4 message of leadership on Monday.
“Happy Fourth of July!” the former president shared. “As we celebrate today, let’s thank our armed forces and their families for their service to our country. And let’s recommit to fighting for our democracy—there’s still so much work to be done to perfect our union.” Upholding democracy requires consistent vigilance. What if Trump were to — as he’s all-but-explicitly confirmed he will — run for president again? With his attempts to undo the outcome of the 2020 presidential election and thereby throw out the duly documented will of the people, Trump’s confirmed — although it was already clear — he’s a threat to this country’s democracy. With his willingness to gloss over and basically accept the Capitol riot, he’s proved it again.
Happy Fourth of July!
As we celebrate today, let's thank our armed forces and their families for their service to our country.
And let's recommit to fighting for our democracy—there's still so much work to be done to perfect our union.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 4, 2022
Trump, in contrast to Obama, had a more vitriolic and self-centered message to share with Americans on Monday — in other words, it was exactly the sort of thing observers can consistently expect from that ex-president at this point. After earlier posts on his alternative social media platform known as Truth Social ranting about Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and the work of the House committee investigating the Capitol riot, where she’s vice chair, Trump added: “I know it’s not looking good for our Country right now, with a major War raging out of control in Europe, the Highest Inflation in memory, the worst 6 month Stock Market start in History, the highest Energy Prices EVER, and that is the Good News. Happy Fourth of July!!! ((Don’t worry, We will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and remember, none of these terrible events would have happened if I were President!!!))”
The idea Trump could’ve magically made worldwide inflation and the war between Russia and Ukraine (among other things) simply not happen is just ridiculous. Trump never displayed some kind of secret, world-changing aptitude for foreign policy while in office. He alienated allies, antagonized opponents, and engaged in diplomatic shows — like getting together with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un — that went just about nowhere substantive. Considering those facets of the Trump era, Americans are supposed to believe he or his goons could somehow lead the country out of the crises it’s in? At times, it seemed like he barely bothered with even trying to meaningfully respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in a consistent fashion, even as the death toll mounted!
