Trump shifts his tone on Jimmy Carter while grappling with Iran, inflation and his own legacy
WASHINGTON (AP) — Jimmy Carter He was one of the presidents Donald Trump ‘s favorite political targets comprehensive foil For the incompetent Democrats he can mock to make himself look strong and determined.
But lately, Trump’s feelings about the 39th president have become even more somber as he, too, has faced some of the same challenges that the late Carter did.
These include: war in Iran There’s no end in sight – and now it’s escalating as the US moves to take control of the world Strait of Hormuz – And inflation, It’s a drag on the economy that Trump has been unable to rein in, even though he has long insisted that his business background would eliminate it.
The comparison seems to have occurred to Trump, too. Last month, he was asked why he didn’t send US Special Forces to Iran to remove Iran by force. enriched uranium“I didn’t want to be Jimmy Carter,” he responded.
It was reminiscent of a failed raid to rescue US hostages in 1980 that left eight American soldiers dead. Trump also said in March that the failed run against Ronald Reagan in 1980 “cost him the election” and said he was aware of political realities in a way he did not when using Carter as a punchline.
The shift in tone coincides with Trump’s greater focus on his personal legacy and comes as the parallels between the two presidents become harder to ignore.
“I think he understands that he kicked a hornet’s nest and that his presidency may be remembered for the same things as Jimmy Carter’s presidency — it even penetrates his thick skull,” said Johnathan Adler, author of “His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life.”
Despite some similarities, the two had obvious differences
Asked about Trump’s change of tone regarding Carter and the pair facing overlapping challenges, White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said, “Trump will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon” and “will remain laser-focused on implementing his proven economic agenda to reduce costs.”
“The President is a one-of-a-kind leader who will always unapologetically advance America’s interests,” Wales said in a statement. he said. “The only legacy he cares about is making America greater than ever.”
Kori Schake, a former member of George W. Bush’s National Security Council, said she doesn’t think Trump is reconsidering Carter. “He doesn’t piece together facts and create theories,” he said.
Still, Trump’s more recent comments are a far cry from the 2024 reelection campaign he routinely calls out. Joe Biden the “worst” president who makes Carter look “brilliant” in comparison. Trump still frequently mentions Carter, who died two years ago at the age of 100, but often falsely implies that he is wary of mail-in ballots.
Other disparities between the two are numerous.
Carter had been married to his wife, Rosalynn, for 77 years, was deeply religious, and had vowed to “never knowingly lie to the American people.” Trump has been divorced twice, enjoys swearing in public and delivers endless attacks lies.
As president, Carter blindly entrusted his family’s peanut business. Control of the Trump Organization was transferred to Trump’s sons, but the president He earned around $1.2 billion from his crypto businesses He didn’t hesitate to turn his presidency into something last year. primary source of self-interest in other ways.
Speaking in 1977, Carter said, “We are now free of that extreme fear of communism.” Trump took over primary wins by progressive Democrats to constantly stir up new fears. communism.
Carter also won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Although Trump declared that he deserved this award more than those who had received it before, he did not receive this award.
What they have in common is inflation and Iran
While inflation plagued both presidents, Carter’s situation was much worse, facing a peak inflation rate of 14.7% in April 1980. Consumer prices increased by 4.2% this May compared to a year ago – the highest in three years – and still fell sharply From May to June, this decline included lower gas prices triggered by the US-Iran ceasefire. This agreement now it’s a messcaused oil prices to rise again.
Trump claimed he didn’t Consider Americans’ financial troubles when it comes to IranA war he started with Israel in February. More recently, it Inflation concerns put aside. However, the solution turned out to be difficult, and US attacks intensified again after Iran’s attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Like Trump, Carter was troubled by the strait and declared in his 1980 State of the Union address that the situation “requires the participation of all those dependent on Middle Eastern oil and interested in global peace and stability.”
Another Trump-Carter parallel was that the Democrat was considering military action to seize the region. Kharg Islandbut ultimately decided against it so as not to endanger the hostages. Trump targeted the island with US attacks early in the war in order to prevent Iran’s oil exports. He threatened again.
One key difference, said Schake, a senior fellow and director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, is that “while the Carter administration seriously considered attacking Kharg Island, the reason they didn’t do that was because they didn’t want to go to war with Iran.”
“And we are already at war with Iran,” he said.
Adler said Iran was trying to hurt Carter’s re-election chances and raised the possibility of doing the same to Trump’s Republican Party before November. midterm elections.
“These people are master diplomats, and they proved that during the Carter administration,” Adler said. “They’re proving it once again. They’re really good with drugs.”
Trump now talks about his presidential history
The president has name-checked many of his predecessors recently. Praising William McKinley support for tariffs And Teddy Roosevelt as a “great man’s man”. Trump said the main reason for reaching a ceasefire with Iran in June was to avoid Iran. “economic disaster ” This happened to Herbert Hoover.
“I’m a great student of history,” Trump said this week.
Trump frequently in his first term He compared his populist streak to that of Andrew Jackson. He still praises Jackson but more recently he has praised many past presidential recordsIncluding those of Democrats like Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Trump even listed some of Carter’s accomplishments” Installed the “Walk of Fame” along the White House Columns Despite shows offering biting attacks on other Democrats like Barack Obama and Biden.
“Trump is thinking about his legacy and may have thought that attacking Iran would strengthen him. But it will actually hurt severely,” James P. Pfiffner, professor emeritus at George Mason University and author of several books including “The Character Factor: How We Judge Our Presidents,” said via email.
Adler said that after his presidency, Carter asked Trump for donations for the construction of the Presidential library. Trump later wrote that Carter wanted $5 million, but he did not respond.
Later, during Trump’s first term, Carter wrote a letter to the president and Trump called him to thank him, eventually creating the impression in Carter that he could serve as a special envoy to China; this proposal never actually materialized.
Pfiffner said of the war with Iran that “he would have hesitated if he had learned from Carter’s experience and listened to the predictions about the Strait of Hormuz.” he said. “But he ignored history and geography lessons.”
