“I had a meeting with political leaders and pollsters and everything else. And they said, ‘Sir, if George Washington and Abraham Lincoln got together and ran as president and vice president, they couldn’t beat you!’” — Donald Trump during one of his appearances on his favorite TV channel, named after an elusive red-haired animal.
On February 28, 2025, during President Zelensky’s visit to Washington, Donald Trump was asked by a journalist:
“Mr. President Trump, you have repeatedly called the deal with Ukraine a historic one, and as President of the U.S., you make historic decisions on other issues affecting America and global conflicts. What place in world history do you want to take, and do you associate yourself with any famous historical figures?”
Trump responded:
“Yeah, I’d say George Washington, Abraham Lincoln. I would say I am far superior to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.” (He chuckles.) “You know I’m only kidding, right? Because when I say that, the fake news is going to go wild. They’re going to say, ‘He considers himself better than Washington.’ BUT YOU NEVER KNOW, YOU NEVER KNOW. I don’t compare myself to anybody—I’m here to do a job.” (1)
Coincidence? “You never know,” to quote the Donald himself—as President Obama used to call the current US President—so let’s see how such a comparison would look…
Historical Context
- Washington: Led the American Revolution and became the first U.S. president.
- Lincoln: Led the nation through the Civil War and abolished slavery.
- Trump: Hosted The Apprentice before becoming president.
Presidential Elections
- Washington: Unanimously elected; no formal political parties yet.
- Lincoln: Won a deeply divided election that triggered secession.
- Trump: Lost the popular vote but won via the Electoral College (first term); won by a landslide in 2024.
Facial Hair
- Washington: Clean-shaven, powdered wig.
- Lincoln: Iconic beard, no mustache.
- Trump: No beard, distinctive comb-over.
Media Presence
- Washington: Featured on portraits and coins.
- Lincoln: First president extensively photographed.
- Trump: First Twitter-based presidency.
Public Speaking Style
- Washington: Formal, restrained, noble presence.
- Lincoln: Deep, poetic, and often self-deprecating.
- Trump: Bombastic, inflammatory—his rambles may include an unending streak of adjectives.
Greatest Crisis Faced
- Washington: Creating a nation from scratch.
- Lincoln: Keeping the nation together during the Civil War.
- Trump: The next one he himself would imagine or create. He did pardon all the January 6th insurrectionists in the very first hours of his second term so he definetly knows how to solve ‘a crisis’…
Famous Speeches
- Washington: Farewell Address—warned against political parties.
- Lincoln: Gettysburg Address—redefined democracy.
- Trump: “Covfefe”—no one really knows.
Views on Slavery
- Washington: Owned slaves but freed them upon death.
- Lincoln: Abolished slavery.
- Trump: Controversial racial rhetoric.
Impeachments
- Washington: None. Too revered.
- Lincoln: None. Assassinated before opponents could react.
- Trump: Twice impeached, both times acquitted.
Legacy
- Washington: “Father of the Country.”
- Lincoln: “Savior of the Union.”
- Trump: Still debated…
Comparing these three presidents as if they belong in the same category is like comparing a founding father, a national unifier, and a walking political spectacle. It’s an exercise in absurdity—but fun nonetheless!
SOURCES
(1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2inaQ_dfHw (Timestamp: 2:01:12–2:02:03.)
The Undaunted Historian 
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