Dear President Trump,
You turn 74 today. I am wishing you a very happy birthday! And I have five wishes for the coming year. After all, one never gets too old to change.
1. Selflessness
Mr. President, you promised us an «America First» policy in 2016. You delivered «Trump First». You have always put your personal interests above anyone else's, be it during the coronavirus crisis, which you have kept quiet for months in order to happily continue to announce stock market records; or, recently during the protests – when you drove peaceful demonstrators outside Lafayette park with force just so you could pose for a photo in front of a church for your election campaign. Put the welfare of Americans first in the coming year.
2. Wisdom
Mr. President, my grandfather used to say that wisdom comes with age. And he demonstrates it time and time again. I am still waiting to see it in you. How about trying to relax once in a while? Your impulsive tweets not only harm America, but your image as well. And listen to your experts the next time they warn you about an impending threat like the coronavirus.
3. Empathy
Mr. President, when do we see your sensitive side? Where were you a few weeks ago, when your country passed the sad milestone of 100'000 corona fatalities? Why did you remain silent for 24 hours? And why haven’t you said anything to the peaceful demonstrators, millions of whom have been taking onto the streets for weeks, protesting against systematic racism? Instead of showing compassion and understanding, you threatened to use military force. We hope that you will finally show empathy in the coming year. By the way, showing this side of you has nothing to do with weakness, but with great strength!
4. Rhetoric Restraint
Mr. President, I know where you're coming from. Like any politician, you want to stay in power to shape the country with your policies. That's only fair. But the rhetorics! You're not only putting civilians, journalists and politicians in harms way, you also continue to divide your beloved country. Bring America together again. Shake hands with your opponents and critics. You’d be surprised at the reaction you provoke.
5. Health
Mr. President, finally, the most important thing: Stay healthy. We all know you love fast food. Broccoli and other vegetables are banned from the White House. But the American people need a healthy president should you be reelected. And if that doesn’t work out in November, your youngest son Baron and the rest of your family certainly want a healthy father, husband and grandfather.
Enjoy your birthday.
Yours faithfully,
Nicola Imfeld, U.S. correspondent, SonntagsBlick
