On October 1, 2017, CNN posted a Opinion-Ed written by historian and political commentator, Julian Zelizer titled, "Trump's tweets: A presidential wrecking ball". In this Opinion-Ed, Zelizer states that we should treat Trump's tweets not only as utter distractions, but as political maneuvers. The president has a "pulpit" in which he has the power to unite or to divide. Zelizar states President Trump is using twitter as a platform, " to stir social and political divisions, aggravating deeply rooted cultural tensions within the national psyche." Zelizer gives examples in which Trumps uses Twitter to spread misleading information, to attack his opponents and how his words impact proposed bills and foreign policy.
I have to agree with with Mr. Zelizar's assessment. Trumps tweets have incited more political controversy and national conversation among politicians and citizens more than the last 4 presidents before him. His tweets seem are being used to divert attention from what's going in our government. He's using Twitter to keep his momentum going, reaffirming his base of his positions on situations and events that are going on in our country. It's a paradox. While attacking NFL players for kneeling during the national anthem, we had a bigger and more pressing problem going on in Puerto Rico. On September 23, 2017, Trump tweeted, "If player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL,or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do." Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico on September 20th. It wasn't until 5 days later that Trump acknowledged the catastrophic damage to the small island. American lives were lost and homes were destroyed; a whole island in shambles. At the time, President Trump spent 3 days attacking NFL and NBA players on Twitter for kneeling and nothing about the dire situation in Puerto Rico. Even after the fact, he took it upon himself to attack San Juan's Mayor. On September 30, 2017 Trump tweeted, "The Mayor of San Juan, who was very complimentary only a few days ago, has now been told by Democrats to be nasty to Trump. Such poor leadership ability by the Mayor of San Juan, and others in Puerto Rico, who are not able to get their workers to help. They want everything to be done for them when it should be a community effort. 10,000 Fereal workers now on the Island doing a fantastic job." Should hurt feelings even matter when Americans are in dire need of basic necessities such as electricity, food and clean water? What good does it do to kick hurricane victims downs by inadvertently calling them lazy? Without basic necessities what are they suppose to do? Do we leave our fellow American behind simply because they live on a island or because they're not deemed "true" Americans? Trump's tweets were meant to humiliate American citizens. They're weren't helpful in any way.
Zelizar also points out how Trump's tweets have caused a dangerous war of words with North Korea; arising the possibility of a future military conflict. On September 23, 2017 Trump tweeted, "Just heard Foreign Minister of North Korea speak at the U.N. If he echoes thoughts of Little Rocket Man, they won't be around much longer!" Isn't this threat a war? How will diplomacy be achieved when the President of the United States is making such bold and dangerous comments? He's negatively and effectively impacting foreign policy. Later on October 1, 2017 President Trump tweeted, "I told Rex Tillerson, our wonderful Secretary of State, that he wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man. Save your energy Rex, we'll do what needs to be done!" Here is another example of our President dismantling all possibilities of a diplomatic peaceful resolution. Thus, making it impossible for people like Rex Tillerson and Nikki Haley to their jobs.
Trumps tweets seem to be creating more problems than solutions. It's seems to ride on a war of words, pride and hurt egos. Nothing seems to be getting done because our country is focused on what our President is going to say and do next. The deadliest weapon we possess is the power of the tongue. Wars aren't incited by weapons, their incited by words. Trump is using his platform to divide and conquer, not to unite and bring peace. We're living a house of cards and only time will show us how far or where Trump's tweets will take us. As of now, bi-partisanship, equality, unity and peace is a bleak prospect.
-Julian Zelizar is a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University. He's a historian, a political commentator and authored over 16 books on various political figure and topics. His most recent book is the "Urgency of Now".
I have to agree with with Mr. Zelizar's assessment. Trumps tweets have incited more political controversy and national conversation among politicians and citizens more than the last 4 presidents before him. His tweets seem are being used to divert attention from what's going in our government. He's using Twitter to keep his momentum going, reaffirming his base of his positions on situations and events that are going on in our country. It's a paradox. While attacking NFL players for kneeling during the national anthem, we had a bigger and more pressing problem going on in Puerto Rico. On September 23, 2017, Trump tweeted, "If player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL,or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do." Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico on September 20th. It wasn't until 5 days later that Trump acknowledged the catastrophic damage to the small island. American lives were lost and homes were destroyed; a whole island in shambles. At the time, President Trump spent 3 days attacking NFL and NBA players on Twitter for kneeling and nothing about the dire situation in Puerto Rico. Even after the fact, he took it upon himself to attack San Juan's Mayor. On September 30, 2017 Trump tweeted, "The Mayor of San Juan, who was very complimentary only a few days ago, has now been told by Democrats to be nasty to Trump. Such poor leadership ability by the Mayor of San Juan, and others in Puerto Rico, who are not able to get their workers to help. They want everything to be done for them when it should be a community effort. 10,000 Fereal workers now on the Island doing a fantastic job." Should hurt feelings even matter when Americans are in dire need of basic necessities such as electricity, food and clean water? What good does it do to kick hurricane victims downs by inadvertently calling them lazy? Without basic necessities what are they suppose to do? Do we leave our fellow American behind simply because they live on a island or because they're not deemed "true" Americans? Trump's tweets were meant to humiliate American citizens. They're weren't helpful in any way.
Zelizar also points out how Trump's tweets have caused a dangerous war of words with North Korea; arising the possibility of a future military conflict. On September 23, 2017 Trump tweeted, "Just heard Foreign Minister of North Korea speak at the U.N. If he echoes thoughts of Little Rocket Man, they won't be around much longer!" Isn't this threat a war? How will diplomacy be achieved when the President of the United States is making such bold and dangerous comments? He's negatively and effectively impacting foreign policy. Later on October 1, 2017 President Trump tweeted, "I told Rex Tillerson, our wonderful Secretary of State, that he wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man. Save your energy Rex, we'll do what needs to be done!" Here is another example of our President dismantling all possibilities of a diplomatic peaceful resolution. Thus, making it impossible for people like Rex Tillerson and Nikki Haley to their jobs.
Trumps tweets seem to be creating more problems than solutions. It's seems to ride on a war of words, pride and hurt egos. Nothing seems to be getting done because our country is focused on what our President is going to say and do next. The deadliest weapon we possess is the power of the tongue. Wars aren't incited by weapons, their incited by words. Trump is using his platform to divide and conquer, not to unite and bring peace. We're living a house of cards and only time will show us how far or where Trump's tweets will take us. As of now, bi-partisanship, equality, unity and peace is a bleak prospect.
-Julian Zelizar is a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University. He's a historian, a political commentator and authored over 16 books on various political figure and topics. His most recent book is the "Urgency of Now".
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