The American government is built on the ideas of respect, responsibility, and dignity for the people it serves. Although political leaders have not always lived up to these ideals, there has always been a push to keep things professional and serious in public life. This standard has appeared to shift a lot in the last few years. Some political leaders have become more casual and performative at a time where the country is facing significant problems such as war abroad and economic instability. This change is worrying, considering how the United States is being seen and how this behavior impacts the country itself, as the precedent our government has set for all Americans is one that consists of disrespect and disregard for the entire swaths of Americans.
On April 13, President Trump posted an AI-generated image on X that depicted him in a Christ-like role, standing over a hospital bed and placing his hand on a sick man as if healing him, with glowing light surrounding his figure. This imagery closely resembled traditional depictions of Jesus performing miracles, which is why many viewers interpreted the post as presenting Trump as a savior-like figure. When asked about the image, he replied, “It’s supposed to be as a doctor making people better, and I do make people better. I make people a lot better.” However, this incident was not the only time Trump has done something controversial like this. Trump has repeatedly used exaggerated or symbolic imagery online, including AI generated posts posted onto X portraying himself as figures such as Pope Leo. This pattern of inflated self-representation does not enhance credibility, but a shift where attention weighs heavier than seriousness on a political scale.
Instead of distancing himself from the image, or explaining what it meant, Trump defended himself, further deepening the narrative that he was portraying himself in such a powerful and symbolic role. His reply did not even acknowledge the concerns from the public, but rather rejected them, and turned the image into a form of self-praisal. President Trump failed to take accountability, and only doubled-down on his actions.
The way political leaders talk and act is crucial in times like today. The United States has long been seen as a world leader, and it depends on more than just its military and economic power. It makes me wonder how the world can take Americans seriously, when its own leader does not. Our president can’t even respect other leaders, as reflected in Trump’s meeting in February of 2024 with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where Trump and other political members mocked Zelenskyy’s casual military-style attire, calling it “disrespectful” and stating he was “all dressed up” sarcastically (Associated Press). Trump and Zelenskyy met to discuss ending the Russia-Ukraine war, and Trump’s main concern was Zelenskyy’s choice of clothing. This itself reflects a president that lacks proper social etiquette. The insult would have been deemed proper if Trump was Zelenskyy’s teenage older brother, not the president of the United States discussing very serious issues on live television.
Trump’s words have also included false information and overblown claims, especially when it comes to foreign policy. On Ukraine’s responsibility for starting the war, Trump made remarks expressing frustration over not being invited to certain negotiations, criticizing Zelenskyy’s approach to the war, claiming, “But today I heard: ‘Oh, well, we weren’t invited.’ Well, you’ve been there for three years. You should have ended it three years ago. You should have never started it. You could have made a deal” (Krupa & Sauer). This claim is false, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was “unprovoked and widely condemned by the international community as an act of aggression.” In a world where information spreads rapidly and is acted upon, these kinds of statements can have extreme effects, changing minds and international alliances. This behavior changes how people view the United States as a whole. Global leadership is not merely about having power. It includes being respected, in which to many, Trump is not.
Through these few of numerous examples, politics becomes pointless, and starts to feel more like entertainment than our government. This is especially worrying for the younger generation who are future voters, and learning about government at a time where debates are becoming memes, shaping the public image unseriously. Witnessing Trump’s actions gives me a sense of hopelessness for our country.
Overarchingly, the problem is not just with one politician or instance. It is the overall direction of American political culture, where leaders do not seem credible or serious, making the office seem less important, and harder for the country to solve real problems. The United States can not afford to be seen as a source of distraction instead of leadership at a time where there is war, poverty, and famine everywhere. The American government must reestablish a sense of urgency and seriousness, for this must not carry on in political discourse. Without this change, the gap between the struggles we face and how we choose to address them, either through an extensive Tweet or snarky remark, will continue to grow; and so will the world’s doubts about whether the American government is ready to properly address and solve the issues of the world.
