My Gift to President Trump
"This one is an easy one. A simple decision and 15 minutes. It would be historic — in a thoroughly positive way. And who doesn’t want to be remembered for doing something tremendously historic?"
Dear Mr. President:
This one is an easy one. And it would be historic — in a thoroughly positive way. And who doesn’t want to be remembered for doing something wonderfully historic? Tremendous.
It’s also an all-upside proposition. And it won’t cost you a thing, outside of making the decision and taking 15 minutes. It’ll win you popularity points with the 51 percent of Americans who currently do not support you, like me. And who doesn’t like being popular? Even second term presidents.
The Problem: Political Violence:
President Trump, no living politician in America knows better than you what it feels like to come within an inch of having their life snuffed out by political assassination. While our country has always dealt with those dangers and tragedies, they have ramped up wildly in frequency and ferocity over the last decade. Consider:
In 2024, the Capitol Police were investigating more than 9,000 threats on federal lawmakers — an 83 percent increase over 2023.
In 2021, more than 4,500 threats were made to judges, attorneys, jurors, and other who are protected by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Since 2017, we’ve seen an increase in plots and attacks against high profile elected officials or their family members, including but not limited to:
You (twice), U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Memphis Mayor Paul Young, Minnesota State House Rep. (former Speaker) Melissa Hortman, Minnesota State House Rep. John Hoffman…
Some heinous criminal assaults are due to individuals who are just completely unwell. But some are at least in part driven by climate.
The Answer: One Multi-Presidential Press Conference:
There are five living/former presidents; two Republicans and three Democrats. Formally ask the four formers to join you and say something at a 15-minute joint press event. Just a few minutes apiece about the nonpartisan imperative to dial down the political temperature and offer poetic pleas to increase the peace in America — and you speak for six minutes.
The four former presidents would likely be eager to do this with you, and would be hard-pressed to decline. Let the press folks work out the messaging, to be cleared by the principals.
Do not allow details about the event to leak. Keep it hermetically sealed. The anticipation of five presidents standing together at an event like this for the first time in American history will be enough advertising. If you put it in prime time, you’ll get Super Bowl numbers.
There will be some critics out there, probably more so on the far left, who’ll object to you being the leading voice and organizer on this issue. It’s been a tough 10 years, and you know that. You know how we got here.
But whatever accusations some may make, no one will be able to deny that it is a large and positive step you have taken. Will it require you to speak differently going forward? That’s your call on how you want history to remember your last few years. Either way, at least you will be on the record to Americans that free speech is a right — but political violence is a damnable offense. Especially toward public servants who have chosen to work to improve their communities and their country.
The Upside:
You shock the world
You look mature
You look like you care
You look like a leader
You will have created an eternal piece of American history
It’s one simple decision. Fifteen minutes. Maybe twenty due to Clinton. All positive. Zero down side.
Some may call me a dreamer for thinking you will consider such a suggestion. But to borrow a Lennon phrase, “I’m not the only one.” Americans are clamoring for this.
Please think about it. Few understand the value of great event video like you do. This should be an easy one. Take the win and do some good.
MICHAEL GOLDEN is the founder of JEWDICIOUS and The Golden Mean — where he converts ‘hidden lessons’ into active wisdom.
I totally give you an A+ for effort