by Alan Langstaff

It is amazing, but certain things stick in your mind, and you always remember them. I had one such moment when I was driving my grandchildren home one afternoon. Benjamin, my youngest grandson, was only about to become a teenager, and asked me a simple question, “What do you think of Trump?” Now, ten years later, I asked myself the same question. Now that Trump has completed his first 4-year term and is one year into his 2nd term. What do I think of Trump now?

To be honest, I have mixed feelings about Trump. So let me share those feelings with you. Bear in mind, he has 3 more years to go as President, so things and people can change.

This newsletter is somewhat shorter than usual – because I am not trying to argue a position – just stating it. I welcome hearing your thoughts in response.

TRUMP – THE POSITIVE FEELINGS

My general impression is that overall, he has done a good job, which involves changing some of the situations that were not good and implementing new actions that will be good. Let’s list some of the good things he has done.

1. IMMIGRATION
He closed the border with Mexico that had been virtually left open, and millions of undocumented immigrants had flowed into the country. I propose to do a Langstaff Letter regarding immigration in the not-too-distant future. If the open border policy of the past administration had not changed, we would be overrun by people from all over the world.

2. FOREIGN POLICY
Many things have happened at the international level, including:
a) bringing to an end the Gaza War, etc.

b) seeking to end the War in Ukraine,

c) his involvement in a variety of international situations.
There is no doubt that he has brought America back into international leadership again.

3. ENERGY

He has done much to encourage the development of energy within the USA. This involves eliminating regulations, opening up new sources of energy, and making changes regarding climate change.

4. LAW & ORDER

He has sought to emphasize the need for law and order in America. For example, see what a difference it made in Washington, D.C. when he sent in people to deal with this.

5. WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM

Some people will not support this one, but it is a disgrace that there is not adequate room for a large event at the White House and they more often has to set up tents on the lawn. This new venture will be financed by private donation. 

Go to The White House.gov and its list of wins and achievements to see others.

TRUMP – THE NEGATIVE FEELINGS

We turn now to what we might call negative feelings about Trump. It is not so much about what he has achieved or what he has projected, but rather his way of speaking and doing things that brings a bout of negativity. In the lives of leaders in history, their lives and their achievements can be measured in terms of two things:

a) His achievements – what he has done

b) His character – what he shows himself to be.

Now, there is no question that Trump is a bold leader, and his character makes it harder for people to embrace what he does. So he is bold, brash, and many times lacks in matters relating to character.

Consequently, many people hate him, and even if he discovered the cure for cancer, they would still dislike him. 

It is the second aspect that I have the most problems with.
Perhaps Trump is the kind of leader we need at this time.

As such, there is a certain aspect of humility that is absent from him. He talks about what he has achieved as “the greatest ever.” 
He describes the economy as being “in the best shape ever.”
His way of speaking to others.
His unwillingness to accept any blame.
His often repeated phrase “it is the greatest ___.” 
The renaming of the Kennedy Center Building to include his name. Likewise, airports, etc.
His pushy type approaches to get Greenland to be part of the United States.

It is on this level that I have concerns about the remembering that pride comes before a fall.

MY VIEW OF TRUMP

As I have said, I have mixed feelings in regard to Trump. On the one hand, I like what he has done. On the other hand, I am not sure I like the kind of person he has become.

The battle is between pride and humility.

WHERE WILL THESE ALL LEAD TO?

I am not primarily a prophet, so I am not writing prophetically when I say I am concerned about Trump and what lies ahead for him.

I pray that he might be more humble.

The Bible says,
“Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
See the passage in James 4:1-10.

My prayer is that Trump will have an encounter with the Lord, and he will become a more humble person.