Recently, ex-Presidential candidate Donald Trump was asked whether he would be attending the funeral of the late former President Jimmy Carter. His response was affirmative on this occasion, proclaimed as he walked into a New Year’s Eve celebration at his renowned Mar-a-Lago club in sunny Florida. Questions regarding whether he had been in touch with Carter’s family were met with a reticence from Trump. It’s notable the services to commemorate President Carter, who passed away recently at the age of 100, will be hosted in Georgia and Washington, with dates from January 4th till January 9th.
Throughout his campaign preceding the November elections, Trump was an unabashed critic of Carter’s tenure as president, frequently using the soaring inflation rates of the 1970s as a stick to beat President Joe Biden. He never missed an opportunity to draw parallels between Biden’s administration and the Carter era, painting them both in unfavorable shades. But, somewhat surprisingly, Trump showed a more gracious side after Carter’s death, stating that the country ‘owed him a debt of gratitude.’, which came as a stark revelation to many.
Even though he disagreed profusely with Carter on numerous ideological and political fronts, Trump put those differences aside after Carter’s death. He respectfully noted that Carter authentically loved and respected the United States, despite the profound chasm in their political views, and recognized Carter’s laborious efforts to improve the nation. In a rare break from his typical demeanor, Trump uncharacteristically lauded his predecessor, remarking that ‘He worked hard to make America a better place, and for that I give him my highest respect.’.
Dressed in a formal tuxedo, Trump spent a few moments entertaining questions from reporters on diverse subjects during this festive entrance. He rather evasively responded to queries regarding the impending ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, merely stating, ‘We’re going to see what happens.’ When probed further about hostages who had been captured by Hamas over a year ago, he vaguely commented, ‘They better let the hostages come back soon’, avoiding any solid commitments or statements.
President Trump also took a moment to reflect on the upcoming year of 2025, optimistic in his conviction that it would be a ‘great year’ and that the country would perform ‘fantastically well.’ He believed a metaphorical light had dawned not only over the United States but also the entire world. When referring to the recent weeks, Trump maintained that ‘They’re a lot of happy people.’ Despite the current problems, he remained optimistic about the future.
He did not leave the stage before promising his audience at the New Year’s Eve celebration that he would ‘do a great job as your president.’ His New Year resolution? It’s nothing fancy but pure pragmatism and genuine optimism as he said, ‘I just want everybody to be happy, healthy, and well.’ With this promise, he left the stage to let the audience bask in the New Year’s celebration’s festivity.
On the opposite side of the nation, the current President Joe Biden was far from any public appearance or crucial discussions. Instead, he was busy with personal commitments, celebrating the wedding of his niece, Missy Owens. The ceremony took place in Greenville, Delaware, and the reception was held in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Is it a wonder why he’s so disconnected from the pressing issues the public face daily?
Rather surprisingly, Biden and Jill, the first lady, decided to interrupt their holiday trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Not for any urgent national issue or crisis, oh no! But to attend a wedding ceremony. This shows the apparent contrast in priorities for Biden compared to other presidential figures who have the nation’s best interests at heart. Instead of resolving issues or making substantial statements, Biden is busy indulging in personal celebrations.
It begs to ask – who is at the helm of our nation’s affairs while our president celebrates a wedding? Are our problems magically solving themselves? Let’s watch and learn how Biden’s revelries instead of working affects the future of our country. One must opine that attending a wedding seems rather frivolous when the country needs a strong hand steering its ship.
These scenarios draw a vivid picture of the two opposing sides. One is a man who despite severe ideological differences, respects his political adversaries and their due contributions. He appears in public, unafraid of being questioned, and stands by his policies despite criticism. This is Trump for you.
Then there is Biden. Instead of actively taking responsibility as the nation’s leader, he appears to be more interested in his family events, leaving one to wonder about his priorities. As the President, he ought to be more involved in the matters of the state, and should be providing leadership and guidance during these challenging times.
But let’s not forget about Kamala Harris. Where is she in all of this? It seems she’s mysteriously absent from the picture. Shouldn’t the vice president be taking charge or at least clarifying their administration’s plans while the president is busy attending to personal engagements?
In summary, as we head into a new year and ponder the state of our nation, it’s important to remember and question the priorities of our leaders. As much as we all enjoy a good wedding, the American people deserve a president and his administration who are willing to lead from the front rather than party in the back.