The State of American Political Leadership: A Tale of Two Presidents
The 2024 U.S. election and its aftermath have highlighted stark contrasts in American presidential leadership, with concerns raised about both Joe Biden's cognitive health during his final years in office and Donald Trump's grandiose self-perception as he returns to power.
Biden's Cognitive Decline and Presidential Exit
The June Debate That Changed Everything
Joe Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race was precipitated by his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump on June 27, 2024. During this debate, the 81-year-old president "trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former president's many falsehoods". The performance was so concerning that it led to widespread panic among Democrats about his fitness for office.[1][2]
Mounting Evidence of Decline
Multiple sources revealed the extent of concerns about Biden's mental acuity. A book by CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios' Alex Thompson detailed how Biden's mental decline was kept from public view. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy stated there was "no doubt" that Biden suffered cognitive decline during his presidency. The book "2024: How Trump Retook the White House" revealed that Biden's aides had considered giving him a cognitive test but worried it would draw more attention to his age concerns.[3][4][5]
Behind the Scenes
Reports suggest that Biden's team had been limiting his schedule, personal interactions, and media appearances since as early as 2021 to minimize concerns about his age and mental acuity. Jeff Zients, a former Biden aide, testified that Biden's decision-making slowed during his presidency and that his ability to remember dates and names worsened over time. By July 2024, more than 30 congressional Democrats had publicly called on Biden to end his presidential campaign.[6]
The Final Decision
Biden ultimately stepped down on July 21, 2024, stating it was in "the best interest of my party and the country". The decision came after escalating pressure from Democratic allies, with polls showing him slipping in swing states and campaign funding beginning to dry up.[2][7][1]
Trump's Messianic Complex and Grandiose Claims
Biblical Comparisons and Divine Anointment
Trump's supporters and Trump himself have repeatedly made grandiose religious comparisons. In August 2019, Trump shared tweets describing him as the "King of Israel" and "the second coming of God". He has proclaimed himself "the chosen one" when discussing trade relations with China.[8][9]
Religious leaders like Lance Wallnau have compared Trump to the biblical King Cyrus, claiming he has "an anointing upon him" and that "the hand of God is on him". Rabbi Jonathan Cahn has likened Trump to the biblical warrior king Jehu, stating "God called you to walk according to the template... He called you according to the template of Jehu, the warrior king".[10]
Self-Proclaimed Achievements
Trump has made extraordinary claims about his accomplishments. In his 2025 speech to Congress, he declared: "We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years or eight years". He compared his first month in office to George Washington's, suggesting his presidency was "the most successful in the history of our nation".[11]
At a final rally before the 2024 election, Trump recounted Border Patrol agents allegedly telling him he was "the greatest president in history" and "better than both Abraham Lincoln and George Washington". He has shared social media posts declaring him as "second greatest" only to Jesus.[12][13]
Messianic Language and Divine Claims
Trump's rhetoric has taken on increasingly messianic tones. A video circulated by his supporters begins with "On the 14th day of June, 1946, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, 'I need a caretaker,' so God gave us Trump". He has shared an image of himself in court sitting beside what appears to be Jesus Christ.[14]
Political scientists note this represents a shift from his previous boasting to explicitly messianic language about himself. As one expert observed, Trump's supporters "embrace his narcissism, including his claims to almighty power, obedience, and adoration, claims characteristic of the God image of the Judeo-Christian Father almighty".[15][9]
Claims of Divine Protection
Following the assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump's messianic rhetoric has intensified. He has suggested his survival was divine intervention, telling supporters at his inaugural address that his survival and victory show he is "God's chosen instrument to lead an American revival".[16][17]
The Broader Implications
The contrast between Biden's cognitive challenges and Trump's grandiose self-perception represents a unique moment in American political history. Biden's struggles highlight concerns about age and mental fitness in high office, while Trump's messianic self-image raises questions about narcissism and authoritarian tendencies in leadership.[18][19]
Trump's supporters, particularly evangelical Christians, have embraced his claims of divine anointment despite his personal behavior contradicting traditional Christian values. This phenomenon illustrates how political loyalty can override religious consistency when supporters believe their leader delivers desired policy outcomes.[20][21]
The 2024 election ultimately resulted in Trump's decisive victory, winning 312 electoral votes to Harris's 226. His return to power with such grandiose self-perception, combined with Republican control of both chambers of Congress, provides him with "a clear path to enact his agenda" with fewer checks on his authority than during his first term.[22][23][24]
This situation presents American democracy with unprecedented challenges: a former president whose cognitive decline was allegedly concealed by staff, succeeded by a leader who increasingly presents himself in messianic terms while wielding significant political power.
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- https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-shares-post-proclaiming-him-second-only-to-jesus-2022-9
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf7k5il5WBw
- https://www.reuters.com/world/us/god-gave-us-trump-christian-media-evangelicals-preach-messianic-message-2024-03-22/
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