Magnanimous in Victory and Gracious in Defeat
We all learned that phrase back in elementary school days from our parents and teachers (though some might have skipped their school lesson that day). It is never so appropriate as right now after a divisive presidential election. A sore loser is just as bad as a vainglorious winner. It tarnishes your brand and seals indelibly the public memory of who you are. No one begrudges the gracious loser the ability to fight again for his ideas in four years time.
The memory of Donald Trump is being badly tarnished by his own actions in defeat. It will impact his ability to rebuild his businesses, his political party and his reputation in the history books, if he should so choose.
Look at all the good that Jimmy Carter has done after his defeat to build a better world for all of us. He is the model that a losing President should seek to emulate. He is not lost in his grievances, but is constantly building for a better nation.
President Trump needs a good long trip to and stay in Mar a Lago, some good golf with his buddies (make sure you let him win), some time with his grandchildren, maybe change a diaper (no time like now to learn), some time to sulk privately and reflect. It may be time to turn over the reins of government to Mike Pence during this transition period to avoid impulsive actions and vindictiveness that will cause us all later regret. I recognize that none of this is in his nature, but I’m sure he has some around him that care for the longer-term perception of his brand and for his own future. He does face an uncertain reckoning with his debtors, his litigants, the tax authorities, and the courts.
Personally after the inauguration of President Joe Biden, I’d recommend a nice long trip to check out his properties in Azerbaijan and Delhi, maybe a trip to an ashram in India, visits to the Taj Mahal and the ruins of Ozymandias, as he contemplates his future. I know this is not of his nature, just saying.
Lucien Wulsin
11/7/20