Stew Bolno: Trump the Ringmaster

Hear ye, hear ye; as you figured out by now, 2026 is a year of celebration for the citizens of the United States of America!” 

The new vocabulary word for this year is semi-quincentennial. According to AI, this term is derived from Latin roots, where “semi” means half and “quincentennial” refers to a 500-year celebration. Therefore, this acknowledges the public announcement for the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. We’re beginning to see a busy and dramatic buildup for this 250-year anniversary. Important events have been planned and will occur throughout the entire year.

As a Philly boy of 80 years, with over 95 percent spent residing in this area, I expect to find this year’s long commemoration interesting, fun, and joyful. I’m pleased Mayor Cherelle Parker seems to understand her job as gracious host to all Americans, as well as foreign visitors, who will be vacationing in our fair city. The city workforce is cleaning up our streets. She’s made more than a couple of public announcements about our opportunity. She’s formed a volunteer group, to make certain helpful citizens available during what’s expected to be a very busy tourist season. 

Unlike so many other big-city Democratic party mayors, she understands Philly residents will make out better, and she will be more effective, by maintaining a focus on cooperating with the President of the United States, rather than fighting him. She recognizes the uselessness of erecting inter-personal barriers and uttering statements of disrespect towards any group. She displays the behavior of a serious person who appreciates the wisdom of a win-win orientation; that attitude will benefit visitors and local taxpayers alike.

Some huge events to be held in Philly this year include the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the FIFA World Cup Soccer Championship, and the PGA Golf Championship. “Revolutionary America”, referring to Philadelphia, was selected as first position in the New York Times article of “52 Places to Go in 2026”. It appears people around the world will be aware of the semi-quincentennial (there’s that word, again). We may even learn to spell it, without assistance, by September. 

Many months ago in 2025, President Donald Trump fired the starting gun, announcing a big to-do about the upcoming year. He made a grand gesture towards the United States Marines, a group that dates its origin to November 1775. They were honored with a parade late last year. Since I live downtown, I had a front row seat to the starting point. That appeared to be the “kickoff” feature for hundreds of events that will be scheduled throughout the United States.

Trump loyalists have little doubt this type of hullabaloo would be minimized if Kamala Harris had been elected President in 2024. After all, the power at the top of the current Democratic political party is directed by progressive thought leaders. The core beliefs include the questioning of American Exceptionalism, the greatness of our Founding Fathers, and the specialness of The United States. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln are highly critiqued for their perceived imperfections. 

According to AI, Bill Maher on his weekly TV show opined the Leftist mind is infected by their sense of “presentism” defined as “the tendency to judge historical figures and events by contemporary moral standards”. Maher argued this perspective is flawed, as “it imposes modern values on the past without considering the context of the time”. Maher described this self-important thinking as akin to using a “magic moral time machine” that distorts historical understanding. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the complexities of history rather than applying today’s judgments retroactively. 

Lou Cannon, a long-respected biographer of Ronald Reagan, titled his book on our 40th President “Role of a Lifetime”. This was because of Reagan’s years as a Hollywood actor which, combined with his two terms as Governor of California, prepared him for his final elected role as President of the United States. It’s not surprising many of the skills attained on a movie set were helpful since the ultimate political position required him to spend large amounts of time in the public eye. 

Donald Trump was not a professional actor as a younger man, but his instincts, attitude, and developed skills have been a great help to him as President. As a visionary he recognizes the potential of this unique year in American history. He’s decided to become the promoter-in-chief as well as ringmaster for the semi-quincentennial. Ironically, this role will be perceived and judged differently based upon how you, already, feel about him. The anti-Trumpers will see his constant presence as a curse on America and a bad joke. Those who are somewhat neutral about Trump, if there are such people, will deem it ironic that such a self-centered man is able to dominate the news even more, during this celebratory year. The Trumpster fans will be happy to join the party. The religious centered segment, which provides a strong foundational base for the President, will chalk it up to “God’s Will. 

I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that The Trumpster’s purchased shiny black boots, tight white pants, a red formal coat, a black top hat, and a whistle for his role as Ringmaster for America’s Birthday Show of 2026.

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. Read more at LeadershipLessonsAndYou.com.