President Trump's Social Media Posts

Much has been written in the press regarding President Trump’s recent posts on his social media Platform, Truth Social.  His profane Easter Sunday post to the Iranian regime regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz; his posts criticizing Pope Leo XIV; and his post showing himself providing comfort to a seriously ill man which many viewed as a depiction of Jesus have all drawn widespread interest and in many cases condemnation. Although President Trump insisted that his post involving the seriously ill man was intended to illustrate a caring physician providing medical attention, many Christians viewed the post as a blasphemous depiction of Jesus Christ. In my opinion, one of the best reviews of President Trump’s “healing post” came from my friend, Bob Russell, in his latest blog post from Bob Russell Ministries. I have included the link to Bob’s post.  https://bobrussell.org/president-trump-youre-no-jesus-christ/#.

For the record, I believe that President Trump’s posts on Truth Social to the Irian Regime, Pope Leo XIV, and the “healing post” were inappropriate and unpresidential. But I believe that something else very important is illustrated with President Trump’s posts. This risk is heightened in the digital age with the immediacy and spontaneity associated with posts made on social media. This is especially true for “type A” individuals like President Trump who have an insatiable urge to react quickly in real time to current events as well as any perceived unfair criticism. In some ways, social media is more of a curse for President Trump rather than a blessing.

But President Trump is not the only President who has reacted strongly to a critic. In this case the critic was a journalist who criticized the singing skills of President Harry S. Truman’s daughter, Margaret. In December 1950, President Truman obviously had no access to social media but was able to effectively communicate his displeasure in a letter to Washington Post Music Critic Paul Hume regarding Hume’s critical review of Margaret Truman’s singing performance at Constitution Hall. The absence of social media likely benefited President Truman in having some span of time between the critical review and his response to Mr. Hume. I am sure his response would have been far more explicit if he had social media available to deliver it with one quick click. But as you can read in President Truman’s excoriating letter in the link I have included, there is certainly no denying the President’s anger toward the journalist. And to be clear, at the time many regarded President Truman’s letter as an overreaction and unpresidential. https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/education/trivia/letter-truman-defends-daughter-singing.

As an aside, the story has it that President Truman and Mr. Hume met several years later and had a civil conversation. Mr. Hume told the President that he understood that the President was supporting his daughter, and his feelings as a father were understandable. As a father of a daughter who played high school varsity soccer and performed on the song and dance team, I wholeheartedly agree! Fathers do not take kindly to any criticism of their daughters!

So, what can be learned from President’s Trump’s posts and President Truman’s letter? For me it is clear. From time to time all of us will experience anger and frustration. Scripture surely understands this with the Apostle Paul’s counsel in Ephesians 4:26 to be angry but not to sin in the anger. I believe this Scripture teaches me to take some time and collect and weigh my thoughts carefully before sharing any posts on social media or otherwise when I feel strongly about an issue. When possible, ask trusted family or friends to review the communication before sharing it. Social media is a great tool for prompt real time communication but can cause great harm if used without proper reflection and care. This applies to all of us, including the President of the United States!

God bless you and thank you for the privilege of your time in reading my blog.