During the week of March 19, the country had the pleasure of witnessing two political professionals in their 70’s face off on various forms of media. This argument was about nothing more than who would win in a fight.
Not only is this abhorrent behavior something one would expect from grade schoolers, but the fact that these men have held—and still hold—important political positions makes this behavior all the more damaging, both to the United States’ image and these individuals’ own reputations.
If former Vice President Joe Biden and current President Donald Trump want to face off, they shouldn’t rely on forms of media like Twitter to vent their frustrations.
Biden’s taunts toward Trump are nothing new, according to NPR. For years, Biden has been responding to Trump’s sexual assault allegations at rallies, claiming, “If we were in high school, I’d take him behind the gym and beat the hell out of him.”
Though this is a well-meaning comment to support victims of sexual assault and condemn their perpetrators, the bottom line is that this is unprofessional and does nothing to aid the victims.
Last week, Trump finally responded to these taunts and wrote—in typical Trump fashion—on Twitter to express his distaste of Biden’s comments. Furthermore—in typical Trump fashion—he did nothing to rectify or help the situation in any way.
Instead of taking the high road, something expected of a president, Trump tweeted, “Crazy Joe Biden is trying to act like a tough guy. Actually, he is weak, both mentally and physically, and yet he threatens me, for the second time, with physical assault. He doesn’t know me, but he would go down fast and hard, crying all the way. Don’t threaten people Joe!”
Although someone of Biden’s reputable status should not threaten anyone, Trump’s response was simply unbecoming of a president. Not only did he threaten Biden back and degrade a former vice president at the same time, Trump made himself seem weak on a global scale and in the eyes of those who look up to him.
This behavior is simply ridiculous, and the worst part is that it isn’t the first time Trump has participated in what even Fox News has deemed, “schoolboy-style threats.” The Washington Post has kept a ready tally on Trump’s explicit thumbs, noting the jab he made toward North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, late last year.
Trump tweeted, “Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me ‘old,’ when I would NEVER call him ‘short and fat?’ Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend - and maybe someday that will happen!”
This was not the only time Trump demeaned Kim Jong-un. Earlier this year, The Washington Post recalled Trump’s nuclear “button” dispute with the leader of North Korea, where Trump tweeted, “I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!”
This immature behavior has been witnessed on a global platform ranging anywhere between former vice presidents to fellow leaders.
Regardless of whom Trump is speaking with, or sub-tweeting at, he needs to present a unified and strong front, especially in times of global crises. Trump’s boisterous claims are akin to a toddler shaking his fists: they do nothing but make the U.S. look weak and desperate.
Although it’s fun to witness old men threatening to fight each other, Americans have to remember that these aren’t celebrities on a drama sit-com from hell. These are the people who are or have been in charge of our country. Instead of laughing at Trump’s repeatedly ridiculous behavior, Americans need to condemn his immature comments and push our president and all politicans to do better.