George M. Cohan, an American songwriter, penned “You’re a Grand Old Flag” on the eve of America’s entry into World War I. Somewhere in this ditty, he celebrated the country where there was “never a boast nor brag”. Irving Berlin celebrated the United States in the epic “God Bless America.” The themes of both songs stressed the importance of America being both modest and mighty.

Oh, how things have changed. Braggadocio has replaced the sweet, dulcet tones of Kate Smith, who sang “God Bless America” in the 1930’s. Again, the USA was representing a better world that stressed not only tolerance but love. Frank Sinatra, in 1945, expressed it well when he sang “The House I Live In,” where he celebrated American diversity. It ended with this last-line declaration: “All races, all religions. That’s America to me.”

Now, the leader of the United States, Donald Trump, promises to develop a creed that would even raise eyebrows in Ancient Rome. He openly celebrates the death of Robert Mueller, whose only crime seems to have been being named a special prosecutor who investigated the Russian affair of 2017 and ultimately dropped the case. Instead of trying to unite the country, Trump seems determined to divide the population. Not content with using ICE to intimidate American citizens, he is determined to violate every norm and sanction. In his mind, Trump is the only person who matters. From his ballroom to his planned gladiator amusements for the 250th birthday of the United States, the President seems to be all ego and no judgment.

Moreover, he does it during an undeclared war. Instead of finding the spirit of Kate Smith, George Cohan, and Irving Berlin, Trump seeks the dark side of the American spirit. The United States is a patriotic country, not a Nationalist one. We are many, not a few, E Pluribus Unum. The American style that made the Republic the envy of the world was determined, cocky and generous at the same time. Where there is “never a boast nor brag.”

For a man who has served as president, Trump seems not to have learned the first thing about how the land he supposedly loves has become great. After World War II, most nations would have sought revenge on Germany and Japan. Instead, through the Marshall Plan, we rebuilt Western Europe. No word about tariffs; America rolled up its sleeves and did what was right. Douglas MacArthur did the same with Japan. Dare say he represented a Julius Caesar style more than Trump’s desire to follow the Emperors Nero and Commodus, who celebrated their eccentricities rather than improve the empire.

Perhaps Trump should take a deep breath and calm himself rather than appealing to base retribution or childish comments. Abraham Lincoln got it right when he replied to a visitor. “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side.” Generosity, optimism, and self-knowledge made wise leaders, not theatrics and pettiness. Given the opposite state of affairs, we truly have to chime in and agree with Kate Smith: “God Bless America.”