Not today, Satan.
Harry Truman was a self-educated, self-made man who made a name for himself rooting out government waste and corruption during World War II and then worked tirelessly as president and took a stand against racists in his own party, but sure, what the hell, he's *just* like Trump.
In policy terms, Truman sought universal health care, tougher civil rights laws, and massive increases in admissions of refugees from war-torn countries all while rejecting what he called "trickle-down" economic policies that favored the rich, but sure, he's *just* like Trump!
How about the miitary?
Truman's bad eyesight kept him out, but he snuck in and memorized the eyechart so he could pass the physical and get into the fighting in WWI.
Unlike someone who had "bone spurs" that kept him out of Vietnam and then later disappeared magically.
Truman's bad eyesight kept him out, but he snuck in and memorized the eyechart so he could pass the physical and get into the fighting in WWI.
Unlike someone who had "bone spurs" that kept him out of Vietnam and then later disappeared magically.
Truman had the courage to stand up to Douglas MacArthur and fire him for insubordination after he started talking about launching World War III with China.
Trump meanwhile raves about how we don't have "great generals" anymore, specifically name-checking MacArthur as his idol.
Trump meanwhile raves about how we don't have "great generals" anymore, specifically name-checking MacArthur as his idol.
That article strains to draw comparisons by arguing that Truman overrode objections of some advisers at times.
Yes, he did! But in each of those decisions, he *followed* advice of *others*. That's what presidents do! They make tough decisions in the face of competing advice.
Yes, he did! But in each of those decisions, he *followed* advice of *others*. That's what presidents do! They make tough decisions in the face of competing advice.
One thing I know for sure -- if Harry Truman came back and read an article comparing him to someone he'd surely denounce as a rich phony playboy, he'd blow a damn gasket.
As a P.S., I should note that Trump's defenders have been likening him to Truman since the election, but as I noted then, it just doesn't fly: nytimes.com/interactive/pr…
As this continues to circulate I'll add another important P.S.
It's important to remember that Truman devoted his presidency to building up a postwar international order designed to contain Russian influence.
It's important to remember that Truman devoted his presidency to building up a postwar international order designed to contain Russian influence.
