Amidst a presidential inauguration, the former presidents’ club had a historic shakeup in the new year. The late Jimmy Carter, who set the record for the longest post-presidency in history, had a state funeral in Washington, and every living commander-in-chief attended. Eleven days later, the group assembled again for the inauguration, with Joe Biden becoming the newest and oldest member of the world’s most exclusive fraternity.
The climax was when President Donald Trump took the oath of office and was a former no more. Trump’s comeback has redefined how leaders and former leaders think about the office they’ve held, and about what’s possible after. Trump’s second term is a historic parallel to the comeback of President Grover Cleveland, who rose from mayor of Buffalo to commander-in-chief in three years.
Both Trump and Cleveland are New Yorkers, both took on their parties’ establishments and won, building new political coalitions in the process. They both returned to Washington pledging to clean up the town, with Trump vowing to “drain the swamp” and Cleveland literally tidying up the White House.
However, Trump’s personality, from reality television to business to social media to the White House, is larger than life. Trump’s comparison to Cleveland’s second successor, President William McKinley, is more fitting. Trump favors tariffs, prioritizes the strength of the dollar, and has made territorial expansion a part of the national conversation.
Trump’s comeback has redefined how politicians communicate, combining political prominence with celebrity status to create a platform like no other. He has shown how combining business experience with political prominence creates a new model for leadership. Trump’s choice of multiple executives to head many of his most important agencies and his prioritization of business experience in his appointments are unprecedented.
The founding fathers anticipated that former presidents would have roles to play in American life. Trump is no discontented ghost, and his second term is a reminder that former presidents can change America, both in and out of power.
