For anyone still waiting for Donald Trump to “become presidential,” Tuesday night’s address to Congress gave them the moment they’ve been craving. From the moment he walked onto the House floor, Trump inhabited a spirit we’ve only glimpsed a time or two before – perhaps most strikingly on the night of the election. But even that speech paled in comparison to this one. This was the moment where even Trump’s fiercest critics could forget – for at least a little while – the Donald Trump of the 1980’s tabloids, the Trump of NBC’s “The Apprentice,” and even the Trump of the 2016 campaign.
This was Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States.
The watershed, singular moment came when Trump addressed Carryn Owens, who sat in the gallery beside his daughter, Ivanka. Owens’ son, Navy SEAL Ryan Owens, was killed in a Yemen firefight in late January, and Trump used his address to shine a spotlight on his heroism.
“Ryan died as he lived,” Trump said. “A warrior and a hero, battling against terrorism and securing our nation.”
Trump, who has been criticized for authorizing the raid, said the mission was a success.
“I just spoke to General Mattis, who reconfirmed that – and I quote – ‘Ryan was a part of a highly successful raid that generated large amounts of vital intelligence that will lead to many more victories in the future against our enemies,'” Trump said. “Ryan’s legacy is etched into eternity. Thank you.”
Lawmakers then gave Owens and his grieving mother a standing ovation that lasted for more than two solid minutes – an overpowering outpouring of love and respect that could not be denied by even the most cynical of the skeptics. When it finally subsided, Trump said, “Ryan is looking down right now and he is very happy because I think he just broke a record.
“For as the Bible teaches us,” he continued, “there is no greater act of love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Ryan laid down his life for his friends, for his country, and for our freedom. We will never forget Ryan.”
Even CNN’s Van Jones – a liberal pundit who has rarely had anything positive to say about Donald Trump – had to admit that it was a breakthrough.
“He became President of the United States in that moment, period,” Jones said after the speech. “That was one of the most extraordinary moments you have ever seen in American politics. If he finds a way to do that over and over again, he’s going to be there for eight years.”
Perhaps Jones said that with a note of chagrin in his voice, but he’s not wrong.
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