Stew Bolno: Let’s say Trump is wrong… about everything

I’m biased in that I think of myself as a man with an open mind, especially as it relates to situations of complexity. Therefore, in a serious effort to comprehend the “Trump is stupid, misguided, mean, or evil” opponents, I decided to explore 47’s goals, decisions, and actions from the anti-Trump perspective. All Americans have had five years to observe his Presidential work behaviors; no serious person would opine The Donald has been lazy or asleep at the wheel. Indeed, for those who detest his every move, the main problem is that he’s driving the car at all. 

It’s not surprising there are mixed reviews about the current president; some people don’t think George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were admirable men and that Lincoln’s concern about the slaves was a mere afterthought. If the examples provided above are surprising to you, simply ask young folks you know from the age of eight through 25 what they’ve learned about each of the three presidents cited. Their opinion is likely to be quite different from yours at a comparable age. Therefore, it follows people have varying opinions about Donald Trump; one of the most significant, revolutionary, and active presidents of our time and all time. 

My mission of tromping on Trump, wearing the shoes of his foes, starts with determining his “misguided” priorities. Therefore, I accessed a public document, published by his Administration on ‘47’s inauguration day, January 20, 2025; it’s an official briefing statement listing President Trump’s America First Priorities. 

His team listed four categories; all include strategic actions to follow through on their objectives. I’ve summarized each, then provided a logical retort by Anti-Trumpers; those who are certain he is wrong-headed, deranged, mean-spirited, or worse. 

1. Make America Safe Again (Trump Position) – a sample of subtopics listed within this category mentioned the President “will take bold action to secure our border, protect American communities, attack drug cartels,” and “ending Biden’s catch-and-release policies…”. 

Critics of Trump would likely state: 

1. “America is safe enough and crime rates are dropping. 
2. Releasing the National Guard to high crime cities is unnecessary and harmful. Dealing with crime is a State and local issue. Federal involvement in fighting crime smacks of fascism.
3. The use of ICE to execute federal law creates fear and uncertainty among decent people, regardless of their immigration status.
4. America should have open borders. 
5. Bombing the Iranian nuclear facility and kidnapping President Maduro in Venezuela are clear examples of American Imperialism.

2. Make America Affordable and Energy Dominant Again (Trump Position – listed months before NYC Mayor Mamdani made “affordability” a campaign statement) – a sample of subtopics listed within this category specified the President “will enable consumer choice in vehicles, showerheads, toilets, washing machines, lightbulbs, and dishwashers.” Additionally, he will declare an energy emergency and use all necessary resources for drilling, mining, and processing efficiencies to increase supply; thereby, dropping the cost of products to American consumers.

Critics of Trump would likely state:

1. Greedy capitalists game the system for their own benefit and profitability. 
2. We must curtail/eliminate the use of fossil fuels; replacing them with natural sources of energy such as wind and solar power, while recognizing this is a world problem and not merely a national concern.
3. “Drill baby drill” reminds us Trump and his oil henchmen don’t care about the environment and are short-sighted in their effort to eliminate opportunities for wind and solar energy sources. 

3. Drain the Swamp (Trump position) – a sampling of subtopics listed within this category include freezing bureaucrat hiring except in essential areas “to end the onslaught of useless and overpaid DEI activists buried into the federal workforce” and demand them return to offices “as only 6% of employees currently work in person.” We will pause burdensome and radical regulations not yet in effect, that Biden announced.” Additionally, “on the President’s direction, the State Department will have an America-First foreign policy.” 

Critics of Trump would likely state: 

1. The elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies is proof Trump is insensitive and racist demonstrating a white-male superiority mentality.
2. The wholesale slashing of loyal government employees is disrespectful and cruel in that it removes people from earned positions, while creating financial hardship within the families of these hard working and underpaid citizens.
3. The America First foreign actions conjure up images of “The Ugly American”, create conflict with allies, and threaten the world order; thereby increasing the potential of violence and war. 

4. Bring Back American Values (Trump position) – there were two subtopics written within this category; (1) “establish male and female as biological reality and protect women from racial gender ideology” and (2) “that “American landmarks will be named to appropriately honor our Nation’s history”.

Critics of Trump would likely state: 

1. The founding fathers and those involved in composing the Constitution were hypocritical and insincere about their statement of “all men are created equal”. They omitted women from consideration and did not give them the right to vote. Gender is merely a hypothetical construct. The true test of one’s identification is based upon what that person feels and says it is. Girls and women who have problems with trans-people in bathrooms and sports teams are, simply, insensitive and bigoted.
2. American values are steeped in the racist concept of “white supremacy.” The Constitution gave no rights to African Americans and native Americans. Those who believe there is only one “appropriate way to honor our Nation’s history” are merely trying to whitewash uncomfortable issues. 

Perhaps those opposed to all things Trump have a point. It is possible “Orangeman” is leading the United States down the road to ruin. Maybe time will reveal deregulation, tax cuts, a quick growing economy, increases in the stock market, enforcing Federal Laws regarding immigration, removing dictators in our hemisphere, and bombing nuclear sites are foolish priorities. Additionally, we may come to learn energy independence, seeking out government waste, and demanding government employees be responsible to the taxpayer are unwise. Perhaps we should elevate immutable distinctions like race and deny the significance of chromosomal composition. 

Or……maybe not! 

Stew Bolno is a chronological peer of Donald Trump. He’s been a student, college professor, and consultant on leadership during his 50-year career. He’s followed politics longer than that time. His recent book is “Leadership Lessons And You: From A to Z – featuring Donald Trump” and he’s written scores of essays about him since he descended the Trump Tower staircase.