Introduction
At first glance, the 26th and 45th presidents of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt and Donald Trump, seem to share some striking similarities. Both came from wealthy New York families, ascended to the presidency after the death of their predecessor, and were larger-than-life personalities who dominated the media landscape of their time. However, a closer examination reveals that despite some superficial resemblances, Roosevelt and Trump represent vastly different styles of leadership and visions for the country. This blog post will compare and contrast these two consequential presidents in terms of their backgrounds, policies, and legacies.
Early Lives and Pre-Presidential Careers
Theodore Roosevelt was born in 1858 into a prominent and philanthropic New York family. As a child, he suffered from debilitating asthma and other illnesses, which he overcame through sheer determination and a strenuous exercise regimen. Roosevelt was a voracious reader and prolific writer from a young age, authoring his first book, The Naval War of 1812, at age 23. After graduating from Harvard, he quickly rose through the political ranks, serving in the New York State Assembly, as U.S. Civil Service Commissioner, New York City Police Commissioner, and Assistant Secretary of the Navy. During the Spanish-American War in 1898, Roosevelt resigned from the Navy Department to lead the Rough Riders volunteer cavalry regiment, becoming a national war hero.
Donald Trump was also born into a wealthy New York family in 1946. His father Fred was a successful real estate developer who set his son up in business. Educated at the New York Military Academy and University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, Trump joined his father's company and eventually took over the family business, which he renamed the Trump Organization in 1971. Over the following decades, Trump made a name for himself as a flashy real estate mogul and casino owner in New York City and Atlantic City. He also gained pop culture fame as the host of the reality TV show The Apprentice from 2004 to 2015. Unlike Roosevelt, Trump never held political office or served in the military prior to running for president.
Ascent to the Presidency
Roosevelt became president in September 1901 at age 42 after the assassination of President William McKinley, making him the youngest president in the nation's history. He was elected in his own right in 1904. As a progressive reformer within the Republican Party, Roosevelt promised a "Square Deal" for the American people, which he described as providing fairness to all citizens and reining in the power of corporations.
Trump's path to the presidency was far less traditional. With no prior political experience, Trump launched his presidential campaign in June 2015 with a brash and controversial style that upended the norms of American politics. Running as a populist outsider, Trump defeated a large field of more experienced Republican candidates to win the party's nomination in 2016. In the general election, Trump defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the Electoral College, although he lost the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes. At age 70, he became the oldest first-term president in U.S. history.
Domestic Policy
Roosevelt believed the federal government should be a "steward of the people" and take an active role in regulating big business, protecting consumers, and conserving natural resources. He used the Sherman Antitrust Act to break up monopolies like Standard Oil and Northern Securities, earning him the nickname "trust buster." Roosevelt also championed progressive reforms like food and drug safety regulations, a minimum wage for female workers, and an eight-hour workday. His signature domestic achievement was his conservation program, under which he established 150 national forests, 51 federal bird reserves, 18 national monuments, 5 national parks, and the U.S. Forest Service.
In contrast to Roosevelt's progressive agenda, Trump pursued a more conservative domestic policy focused on deregulation and tax cuts. The signature legislative achievement of his presidency was the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which slashed the corporate tax rate and disproportionately benefited the wealthy and big business. Trump also rolled back hundreds of environmental regulations related to climate change, clean air and water, and wildlife protection that had been put in place by the Obama administration. He downplayed the threat of climate change and falsely claimed that wind turbines cause cancer. Trump's deregulatory agenda was cheered by industry but condemned by environmentalists and public health advocates.
Foreign Policy
In foreign affairs, Roosevelt was a proponent of "big stick" diplomacy, which relied on negotiation backed up by the threat of military force. His crowning achievement was the construction of the Panama Canal, which he facilitated by supporting Panama's independence from Colombia. Roosevelt also mediated an end to the Russo-Japanese War, for which he won the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize, the first ever awarded to an American. He also expanded the Monroe Doctrine, declaring that the U.S. had the right to intervene in Latin American countries that failed to maintain stability or pay their debts.
Trump's "America First" foreign policy was more isolationist and transactional. He frequently criticized NATO allies for not paying their "fair share" for defense and threatened to withdraw from the alliance. Trump also engaged in trade wars with China, Canada, Mexico, and the European Union, imposing tariffs on imported goods that prompted retaliatory measures. He withdrew the U.S. from several multilateral agreements, including the Paris climate accord, the Iran nuclear deal, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership. At the same time, Trump took a more conciliatory approach to adversaries like Russia and North Korea, praising Vladimir Putin and meeting with Kim Jong Un.
Leadership Styles and Rhetoric
Roosevelt was known for his energetic and outgoing personality, as well as his intellectual curiosity and wide range of interests. He used the "bully pulpit" of the presidency to shape public opinion and rally support for his policies. Roosevelt was a gifted orator and prolific writer, authoring over 40 books on topics ranging from history and nature to politics and philosophy. While he could be combative with his political opponents, Roosevelt generally tried to unite the country behind a common purpose.
Trump, on the other hand, was a highly divisive and polarizing figure who frequently used inflammatory rhetoric to attack his perceived enemies, including the media, Democrats, and even members of his own party who crossed him. He governed more by tweet than by speech, using his Twitter account to announce policy decisions, pick fights with opponents, and spread misinformation. Trump's brash, confrontational style appealed to his base but alienated many others. He was also prone to making false or misleading statements at an unprecedented rate for a president.
Legacies and Historical Reputations
Theodore Roosevelt is widely regarded as one of the greatest presidents in American history. He transformed the office of the presidency and expanded the powers of the executive branch to tackle the social, economic, and environmental challenges of the early 20th century. Roosevelt's visage is carved on Mount Rushmore alongside George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln, symbolizing his enduring legacy. While some of his views and actions, particularly regarding race and imperialism, are more controversial by today's standards, Roosevelt is still admired for his leadership, integrity, and commitment to the public good.
It is too soon to fully assess Donald Trump's long-term legacy, as he left office just over two years ago. However, his presidency was undoubtedly one of the most tumultuous and consequential in modern American history. Trump's norm-shattering behavior, disregard for democratic institutions, and divisive rhetoric left the country more polarized than ever. He was the first president to be impeached twice by the House of Representatives, although he was acquitted by the Senate both times. Trump's actions during his final weeks in office, when he falsely claimed that the 2020 election was stolen and incited a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, will likely overshadow any policy accomplishments in the eyes of historians. While Trump remains popular with his base, his overall approval ratings were consistently among the lowest of any modern president.
Conclusion
In many ways, Theodore Roosevelt and Donald Trump represent two very different models of the presidency. While both were larger-than-life personalities who dominated the media, they had fundamentally different values, priorities, and leadership styles. Roosevelt saw the presidency as a "bully pulpit" to advocate for the public interest and unite the country, while Trump often used his platform to bully opponents and divide Americans against each other. Roosevelt's legacy is one of progressive reform and conservation, while Trump's is one of polarization and division. Ultimately, Roosevelt and Trump embody the best and worst of what the presidency can be, and offer enduring lessons for future leaders and the nation as a whole.
Citations: [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Roosevelt [2] https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/theodore-roosevelt/ [3] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Theodore-Roosevelt [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump [5] https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/donald-j-trump/ [6] https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/trump-administration-accomplishments/ [7] https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/04/politics/trump-teddy-roosevelt-parallels-blake-cec/index.html [8] https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/dec/18/donald-trump-and-teddy-roosevelt-our-nation-has-se/ [9] https://www.americanprogress.org/article/anti-nature-president-u-s-history/ [10] https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/theodore-roosevelt-biography.htm [11] https://www.trumplibrary.gov/trumps/president-donald-j-trump [12] https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/history_theses/46/