What did you expect?

By Jim Thompson
HCP columnist

As I write this, it is Monday, July 6, 2026. All the usual suspects are out whining about how President Trump ruined the 4th of July.  

If they had enough foresight and brains, they could have written their articles on January 20, 2025 – when President Trump was sworn in.

If we had cared about their thoughts, we could have predicted what they would say back then.

Those outraged by President Trump (including now the entire FIFA organization – what is a red card and why do I care?) have become very, very boring.  

Yet, I can see how they have locked themselves into this mode. They are trapped, for if they didn’t express outrage about anything and everything President Trump does, their peers will accuse them of having gone soft.

It has become fashionable to complain about President Trump in areas where it would be absolutely prohibited with other people. Calling him “Orange Man” because of his hair and complexion would bring all sorts of condemnation on anyone using such derogatory language in reference to anyone else.

His wife is accomplished and beautiful. I think of her as I did Jackie Kennedy. Yet, the best thing you can hear about her is silence.  

In my opinion, President Trump’s actions are no better or worse than Teddy Roosevelt’s. President Teddy had a similar ego; in fact, in 1912 when the Republicans would not nominate him, he formed his own party which helped Woodrow Wilson get elected. 

What did Wilson do? He gave us the income tax. He led a group of European leaders to adopt a “peace treaty” at the end of World War I that was so onerous it directly led to World War II, 20 years later. He was a disaster, brought about by Teddy Roosevelt’s ego.

President Trump is a patriot with Teddy Roosevelt’s ego. We survived and thrived on that. As long as he is not followed by another Woodrow Wilson, we will be OK.  

The Democrats' possible offerings for the 2028 race do not look promising. Perhaps the Republicans will bring forth a great candidate. Personally, I like Marco Rubio – seasoned, rational and bi-lingual. 

Jim Thompson, formerly of Marshall, is a graduate of Hillsboro High School and the University of Cincinnati. He resides in Duluth, Ga. and is a columnist for The Highland County Press.