By Matt Underwood As scarcely believable as it seems, former President Donald Trump recently expressed his frustration by characterizing his departure from the White House as “ridiculous.” It’s a peculiar statement that further emphasizes the depth of his insistence that he was robbed of a second term in office. Yet this constant claim by Trump has been meticulously tested in the courts and found wanting, so it’s puzzling that he would insist on this perspective.
His choice of the word “ridiculous” to describe the natural and legal sequence of events that follows an electoral defeat is a clear testament to his seeming disconnect from the political realities of democracy. American democracy has long revolved around the cornerstone of peaceful transfers of power, even when the defeat is bitter. In an odd twist of fate, Trump seems to lament leaving the White House as if the event was an unjust circumstance imposed upon him, rather than a democratic response to a fair and free election.
Interestingly, Trump appears to simultaneously grasp and reject this democratic reality. He was quoted saying, ““was ridiculous that we had to leave, but we had to leave, we have to follow the laws of our land.” In one breath, he calls his departure “ridiculous” but acknowledges that compliance with established laws is inevitable. This duality seems to be an input to his ongoing narrative where he accepts defeat in words but fuels unfounded contention by maintaining a contrarian attitude.
Furthermore, the irony is not lost on me regarding his use of the term “we.” This broad sweeping use of the pronoun is a clear attempt to continue the us-vs-them dichotomy that was fundamental to his reign. It keeps his die-hard supporters in the illusion that the 2020 defeat was a collective loss, one not just experienced by Trump personally, but by his supporters as well.
Despite his reluctance to admit his defeat, the vast majority of Americans recognize the truth: It ain’t Trump’s house. It ain’t Biden’s either. The White House belongs to America, and anyone privileged to live there is merely a custodian, there to serve the interests of the American citizens temporarily.
The most worrying part of Trump’s disposition for me isn’t necessarily his denial, as ludicrous as it is. It’s the fact that his base finds these baseless allegations palatable. This alarming tendency to believe in unfounded conspiracy, even when presented with overwhelming contrary evidence, is not just a concern for America’s democratic order, but also a global concern.
Of course, Trump’s sentiments have also drawn a lot of ire, rightfully so. Many people aver that it’s ridiculous that he was ever in the White House at all. After all, someone given the privilege of serving the highest office in the land should have a clear understanding of the nature of the office and the expiration of its term.
While Trump’s perspective seems to be one steeped in personal grievance and deeply flawed interpretations of his role as past president, the enduring mess he’s creating in the political landscape is worth our concern. As the possibility of his participation in the 2024 election looms, these issues will undoubtedly play a big role in the electoral discourse. His ability to keep the American public’s attention has served him well in the past, and this continued controversy only serves to keep him in the public eye.
In essence, Trump’s statements not only highlight his skewed perception of democracy but also put on full display the deepening wedge within American politics—a division he actively fueled and continues to exploit. We cannot afford to ignore this reality, nor fall into the trap of divisive politics that such narratives proliferate. As we seek to uphold the very tenets of our democratic systems, we must insist on a politics that unites, rather than divides. We must rally against the “ridiculous” and stand for the truth. Democracy is too precious to be undermined. As a society, we must demand better from our leaders. But, naturally, the saga doesn’t stop there. Trump’s frequent adversaries and defenders alike are watching his every move. Ironically, some had been hoping that he would have refused to leave the White House. They envisioned a dramatic scene of former President Trump being ushered off the premises by body cam-wearing federal law enforcement officers. I too, had envisioned such a prospect. As outlandish as it sounds, it is worryingly plausible given his continued defiance of electoral norms.
Entering into another realm of ludicrousness is Trump’s characterization as a ‘family man’ who ‘believes in God’ and has an ‘America-first’ mentality. His personal life, littered with allegations of impropriety, doesn’t seem to align with traditional family values, nor does his history of statement and actions correspond with a grounded faith in God. His version of ‘America-first’ appears to center around the idea that America must focus on its interests, even at the expense of isolating itself from its allies. This sort of generalized blanket statements, made without any nuance or consideration for the complexity of global politics, remains deeply problematic.
The former president also garnered support because he supposedly “doesn’t pull any punches” and “says it like it is.” Yet his casual relationship with truth and unabashed self-interest characters his time in the White House more than any honest, hard-hitting truths. While outspokenness can be an admirable trait, it carried weight only when it is accompanied by accuracy, integrity, and an intent to uplift rather than divide.
Yet, despite the evident weaknesses and inconsistencies in his leadership and personal character, there remains a staunch group of followers, who unerringly believe in a Trump-led future. Their belief, tinged with conspiracy theories and denial, is incredibly alarming. They indicate a rise of fascism in America, a reality that we need to confront and combat.
But let us not forget, this is the same man who, according to a court ruling, sexually abused and indeed raped Ms. Carroll, all while proclaiming to be a ‘family man.’ Or the man who up until his last days in office had grand plans for infrastructure and healthcare that never saw the light of day. And who, despite claiming to have been cheated out of an electoral victory, has done relatively little to challenge these results in any meaningful or legal way.
Finally, reviewing Trump’s claim that he shouldn’t have had to leave the White House, it’s important to separate the inherent absurdity from the very real and dangerous undercurrent it represents. As harmless as it may initially sound, this statement undermines the essential democratic processes that define our government. By belittling these processes and systems, Trump undermines public faith in these institutions, seeding doubt, and opening the door for more pernicious forms of control.
However, we must remember, Trump is but a symptom of a much more expansive issue. Yes, he holds an undeniable responsibility for many of the issues that plague our nation. But his rhetoric and behavior would not hold as much power if not for the division, misinformation, and blatant disregard for democratic norms rampant in our society. For this to begin healing, we must address the root causes and stand firm in our support for democracy, truth, and unity. We have to acknowledge the painful divisions, reconcile with them, and move forward.
To quote Trump in my closing thought: Yes, it may seem ‘ridiculous’ he had to leave the White House after the 2020 election. Still, it’s critical to remember that holding public office in a democracy is not a right, rather a privilege granted by the people, for the people. Challenging an electoral defeat without substantial evidence is not defending democracy, but undermining it. So, if anything, the real ‘ridiculousness’ lies within that flawed logic itself, and not on the precepts of democracy.
Together, we can and must expect and demand better from ourselves and our leaders. It is time to heal, learn, and build an America that truly embodies its core principles of justice, equality, and truth, an America that is for all of us.