1. It's in the Genes: One came from upscale New York, the other from rural Kentucky-worlds apart, but out of those disparate backgrounds came two presidents who were, upon closer inspection, influenced by surprisingly similar familial forces. Consider that character and qualities know no economic boundaries, then prepare to grasp the unexpected. Through ancestral beginnings, the influence of parents, and circumstances in early childhood, this unlikely comparison exposes how these two seemingly opposite precocious and often obstinate boys who believed they were special emerged equally prepared for a future of popularity and ultimate success.
2. Man of Faith: Contemporaries and even some friends believed Trump and Lincoln to be nonreligious. The reality behind the scenes and below the surface reveals otherwise. Worldly appearances belie a genuine belief in God manifested by deeds more than words. Associations with and concern for religious people and organizations confirm a faith in a Higher Power. Despite early heresies, both presidents developed a sincere belief in Providence and a dependence on a Divine Hand guiding the course of the nation. That God used these flawed men as agents of great change in America might be more a revelation of His sense of humor than anything else.
3. Common Man: Both were tall and athletic, and neither smoked nor drank. Neither cared much for gourmet food, instead preferring simple meals and "fast food." But these are insignificant similarities. That each maintained an ever-present connection to the ordinary people throughout life confirms them as uncommonly common. Approachability, simple use of language, and a few more base attributes that were crude and even juvenile at times provide evidence of a real human side to their characters. They also sport a more cringeworthy facet marked by graceless, crass, and downright nasty episodes. But don't think that alone defines either of these leaders; they both exhibit an empathy and heart for the common people that can rival the most devoted humanitarian. Both Lincoln and Trump possessed wit and humor honed over decades of use. They consistently could keep a crowd (the butt of the jokes excepted!) "rolling in the aisles" and "hysterical with laughter."
4. Family Man: That both presidents' first ladies experienced animosity at the hands of partisan elites and a hateful, biased press is more a sign of the times than a reflection of the women themselves. But Lincoln and Trump, despite occasional internal turmoil, remained devoted to their families throughout their lives. Discover that both first ladies were confident, competitive, and capable women. Lincoln's two failed love affairs and Trump's two failed marriages aside, both proved, for the most part. attentive fathers and shared surprisingly similar characteristics as husbands.
5. Born to Fight: Two centuries, two presidents, a divided nation, and high stakes. Ambition and ego drive great leaders alike. Supreme self-assurance and a fierce penchant for battle fuel the impetus to punch and dodge and even hit below the belt. Facing conflict fearlessly, a seasoned fighter hits his mark through ridicule, merciless aggression, and a rampant humor often packing a punch. Engineering a grand destiny which made a name dominate headlines for decades proved a hard-fought prize. But that's just Lincoln. Impetuous physical bouts metamorphosed into ideological confrontations tempered by experience. And then there's Trump. Myth is knocked flat by this honest comparison of two born fighters ideally trained to combat the roughest, toughest political battles of the century, which don't necessarily leave the last man standing.
6. Keeping It Real!: With unique candor and a willingness to tell it like it is, consequences be damned, Lincoln and Trump both earned the trust of the American people for being authentic and sincere. "Honest Abe" embodied a transparency and commitment to his word that he deemed the "chief gem" of his character. "The Donald," a blustery self-promoter, spoke his mind unfiltered-a transparency refreshingly honest to many in a political world rife with misspeak and deception. Freedom from political correctness, consistency in exposing hypocrisy, and a fearlessness for open debate describes both men. And a devotion to the mantra "a promise made must be kept" endeared them to the masses in a climate of disappointment, conflict, and disinformation. Discover also tendencies in both leaders to deflect in order to avoid uncomfortable and unnecessary duplicity.
7. Self-Made Man: These two presidents present such clashing visual images that common beginnings seem impossible. But the American dream is no respecter of origins, and the combination of ambition, will to succeed, and an incredible work ethic converge to propel two men toward the pinnacle of success. Both were characterized by a personal confidence unaffected by the opinions of others. And initiative dominated their self-determined rise. Eager helping hands from spotlight-seeking acquaintances or truly devoted supporters aided these tireless climbers through lifetimes of surpassing expectations. Resilience in the face of failure and originality among a sea of conventional humanity defines these American dreamers as two of a kind.
8. Master of Communication: Style, tone, diction, and voice are insignificant details for two speakers who mastered and entertained the enormous crowds of the day. The authentic ideas and genuine passion for the subject was inextricably linked to these original showmen of the political stage. Each cultivated early a unique crowd-pleasing public image. And with clarity, simplicity, credibility, and their own brand of wit they moved audiences deftly and without apology toward their cause. Commanding the technology of the time enhanced the messengers' bold confidence in the varied arenas and information avenues of the day. Though "Four score and seven years ago" bears little resemblance to "What the hell do you have to lose?" the sincerity of the message and its music to the ears of the beholders always trumps eloquence.
9. Born to Lead: Even as youth, Lincoln and Trump were natural leaders whose friends gravitated toward their special charisma and magnetism. Strong, decisive personalities learned self-discipline prior to adulthood-in very different ways. Their pragmatic realism in no way dampened a truly visionary mentality. Years of public interaction and private trial honed abilities to inspire, convince, influence, and motivate people, and the ease with which each wielded power attests to a lifetime of experience. A sincere desire to better the world around them, and a cool, calm response to pressure, proved invaluable for great leadership in a turbulent America.
10. Signs of the Times: A divided American people manifests itself in the growing chasm between two irreconcilable worldviews. Signs of the times reveal uncanny similarities in the political and social climate of a nation in turmoil. Double-speak and dirty tricks by political opponents, never-ending investigations, and constant criticism from a biased press dominate the landscape. Those are upstaged by the intolerance and hypocrisy of an often unidentifiable opposition lurking in the bottomless depths of a deep state. The plantation, though separated by a century of American progress, yet startlingly identical in nature and unbelievably apparent during both administrations, is exposed as the antithesis of our American Experiment.
Gretchen Wollert, all rights reserved.