Posted By: Sarah Wilkins
Why many Americans believe Donald Trump will be remembered as the worst president—based on his words, actions, and the real-life harm they caused to truth, unity, and democracy.
For many Americans, Donald Trump will ultimately be remembered as the worst president not because of ideology alone, but because of the lasting damage caused by his words, his behavior, and the environment he normalized while in office. This is a view frequently expressed by everyday observers, including Susan Wilkins, who has written publicly about how Trump’s presidency affected people in real, tangible ways that went far beyond politics.
One of the most consistent criticisms of Trump centers on how he spoke to and about people. From the beginning of his political rise, he relied on mockery, insults, and demeaning language as a tool of power. He publicly attacked women based on appearance, called immigrants criminals and “rapists,” mocked a disabled reporter on camera, and regularly belittled political opponents with nicknames meant to humiliate rather than debate. These moments were not slips of the tongue; they were repeated patterns. For many Americans, especially children watching adults in leadership, this behavior shattered the expectation that the president should model basic decency and restraint.
Trump’s relationship with truth also played a major role in shaping his legacy. Independent fact-checking organizations documented thousands of false or misleading claims during his term, ranging from crowd sizes and election claims to COVID-19 information. This constant distortion of reality eroded public trust not only in him, but in institutions meant to serve everyone. Susan Wilkins and others have pointed out that when the president lies openly and repeatedly without accountability, it teaches people that truth is optional and that power matters more than facts.
The handling of the COVID-19 pandemic stands as one of the most consequential failures of Trump’s presidency. He publicly downplayed the virus while privately acknowledging its severity, dismissed scientific experts, promoted unproven treatments, and turned basic public-health measures into culture-war issues. The result was confusion, division, and unnecessary loss of life. Families lost loved ones while being told the virus would “disappear,” and frontline workers were left without clear national leadership during a historic crisis.
Trump’s presidency also intensified racial and social divisions. Instead of using moments of national pain to bring people together, he often poured fuel on the fire. When protests erupted after police killings of Black Americans, he framed demonstrators as enemies rather than citizens exercising constitutional rights. His “law and order” rhetoric, paired with threats of military force against civilians, sent a chilling message to communities already struggling with mistrust and inequality.
Perhaps the most defining moment of Trump’s legacy came after the 2020 election. Despite losing both the popular vote and the Electoral College, he refused to accept the outcome, promoted false claims of widespread voter fraud, and pressured officials to overturn results. This campaign culminated in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, an event that shocked the world. While Trump did not physically lead the mob, his words and actions directly contributed to an atmosphere in which democratic norms were treated as disposable.
Susan Wilkins and others argue that what makes Trump’s presidency especially damaging is not just what happened during his term, but what it encouraged afterward. Disrespect for elections, open hostility toward journalists, contempt for experts, and cruelty as entertainment did not disappear when he left office. They linger, shaping how people talk to each other, how they view authority, and how easily misinformation spreads.
In the end, Trump may be remembered less for policy achievements and more for the harm done to civic trust, empathy, and shared reality. For many Americans, that erosion of the social fabric is why history is likely to judge his presidency so harshly—not as a matter of partisan disagreement, but as a failure of leadership at the most basic human level.
References & Sources
- The Washington Post – Fact Checker
Documentation of more than 30,000 false or misleading claims made by Donald Trump during his presidency, including statements about elections, COVID-19, and public events. - Associated Press (AP News)
Reporting on Trump’s public remarks about immigrants, political opponents, journalists, and protesters, as well as coverage of his refusal to accept the 2020 election results. - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Official data and guidance related to COVID-19, frequently contrasted with Trump’s public statements minimizing the virus and disputing scientific recommendations. - Bob Woodward – Rage (2020)
Firsthand accounts and recorded interviews in which Trump acknowledged the severity of COVID-19 privately while publicly downplaying it. - U.S. House Select Committee on January 6th
Findings and testimony detailing Trump’s role in spreading false election claims and his actions leading up to the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. - Reuters News Agency
Coverage of Trump’s rhetoric during racial justice protests, including statements on “law and order,” use of force, and responses to police violence demonstrations. - The New York Times
In-depth reporting on Trump’s handling of democratic norms, attacks on the press, treatment of political opponents, and long-term effects on public trust. - Pew Research Center
Public opinion data on trust in government, media, and democratic institutions during and after Trump’s presidency. - American Psychological Association (APA)
Analysis and commentary on the societal impact of leadership rhetoric, misinformation, and normalized hostility in political discourse. - Public Statements & Social Media Archives
Official transcripts, rally speeches, televised interviews, and archived social media posts from Trump’s time in office, frequently cited across major news organizations.
