The Parallels Between Andrew Jackson and Donald Trump (Part III)

Both Trump and Jackson follow what I call “paranoid politics” to some degree. In other words, they feel people are out to get them. For instance, Trump feels he cannot get a fair trial over the “Trump University” case because the judge is Hispanic. Of course nothing was ever proven to defend Trump’s strong words. Jackson felt adversaries attempted to have him assassinated. A deranged and sick man tried to kill Jackson, but Jackson was convinced one of his rivals put him up to it. The incident was investigated and no wrongdoing was uncovered.

Both Trump and Jackson are vindictive. For Jackson it was not uncommon for him to feud and duel with rivals (prior to the White House). Of course, Trump attacks foes with vial comments and conspiracy theories nearly every day on the campaign trail.

Both Trump and Jackson are determined individuals. Jackson showed his determination in not only defeating opponents on the battlefield but as president when he took down the Bank of the United States. Trump is also determined to get his way on policy despite the fact his beliefs hardly match up with GOP ideologies or philosophies. Trump has placed the GOP leadership in a difficult position time and time again and walked away the winner after those conflicts (guns, Planned Parenthood, illegal immigration, etc.).

Jackson’s opponents called him King Jackson because he expanded the power of the executive branch greatly in his two terms. Jackson felt since he was elected by the people it was up to him to carry out the will of the people. Since Senators were elected by state officials (at that time in history), Jackson felt that Senators were part of the “good old boy system” and did not have the will of the people at heart. Hence, Jackson felt the office of the Presidency should be more powerful than Congress. If elected, it remains to be seen how Trump would run the office of the Presidency. But Trump has the same narcissistic personality as Jackson, so it would not surprise anyone if he ruled like other Democrat presidents – Obama, LBJ, and FDR – by expanding the power of the executive.

Jackson was controversial when he denied Americans the right of freedom of speech when it came to issues on slavery or Native-Americans. Trump is not much different in how he tries to silence anyone in the media who asks him a fair question that he does not like or covers him negatively.

Both men are undoubtedly selfish narcissists. This is obvious when we watch clips of Trump on the news bragging about himself continually reminding us how smart he is or how great he is. All politicians are narcissists so this is not that uncommon behavior – they all think they are smarter than everyone else. The most striking example exposing Jackson’s selfishness is when he wanted his secretary to report back to the White House despite the fact his wife was lying on her death bed. Jackson got his way and his secretary never saw his wife alive again. So we can surmise that Jackson’s business as president and his legacy (writing his final inaugural address and expunging his censorship for withdrawing all monies from the Bank of the United States) were more important than life itself.