On July 1, Donald Trump flew to the Theodore Roosevelt Library in a jet gifted to him by the Qatari dictator, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. This is unprecedented.
What was typical is that, once at the new library, Donald Trump spoke only about Donald Trump.
A few contrasts between the two men:
• Theodore Roosevelt wrote books. Donald Trump doesn’t read.
• Roosevelt was a soldier. Donald Trump only salutes like one, a violation of flag etiquette.
• Under Roosevelt, numerous laws were passed to protect American consumers, such as the Pure Food and Drug Act. Trump believes that, for American consumers, affordability is fake news.
• Roosevelt sought to limit the power and wealth of American corporations. The Trump family seeks to increase their own power and wealth, amassing $2.2 billion so far in his second term.
• For negotiating peace in the Russo-Japanese War, Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize. Nobel winner María Corina Machado of Venezuela gave Trump hers.
• Roosevelt invited Black intellectual Booker T. Washington to a White House dinner in 1901. On a campaign stop, Trump once pointed and shouted, “There’s my Black guy!”
• Roosevelt loved his children. Trump once hit Don Jr. with his fist for not wearing a suit to a Yankee game. His love for Ivanka is disturbing.
• The barrel-chested Roosevelt lived a life of exercise—judo, vigorous walking, horseback riding, and outdoor adventures. Trump drives his golf cart over greens, and sportswriter Rick Reilly’s book about his golf is titled Commander in Cheat. And Trump’s dinner guests watch as he gets the biggest slice of chocolate cake for dessert.
• Roosevelt believed that the presidency was a sacred trust. Trump believes the presidency is his personal property.
It’s true that Roosevelt was an ardent imperialist. Unlike Trump, he was a successful one.
Jim Gregory
Arroyo Grande
This article appears in July 16 – July 23, 2026.
