Donald Trump’s address at the Boy Scout Jamboree felt more like a campaign rally than an inspiring moment for young scouts. In today’s world, it’s challenging to escape the grip of politics, and even the Boy Scouts are not exempt from this trend.
To be fair, the organization did invite the president to speak. However, it’s hard to believe they anticipated a keynote speech that would devolve into a litany of personal grievances, rather than a chance to uplift and motivate a new generation of boys. Many have long since lost hope that President Trump would ever transcend his own ego and embrace a more dignified, presidential demeanor. If you were looking for evidence of his inability to rise above his personal issues, his performance at the 2017 jamboree served as an ample example.
Held every four years, the jamboree brings together thousands of scouts to celebrate the ideals that make the Boy Scouts a cornerstone of American culture. The event typically emphasizes character development and leadership skills—qualities that made Trump’s selection as the keynote speaker unexpected, given his penchant for embracing divisive rhetoric and his struggling approval ratings.
And he certainly didn’t disappoint—unless by “didn’t” you mean that he did.
He began by lamenting about the “fake news” surrounding crowd sizes, despite the fact that the event was ongoing and thus, there was no reporting yet. (Not only does he distort the past, but now he seems to be fabricating the future!) He even slipped in the word “hell” during his speech (“Who the hell wants to talk about politics when I am in front of the Boy Scouts?”), likely believing that a little shock value would galvanize the audience.
His remarks included: bragging about his electoral victory, which remains his sole achievement since assuming office; boasting about his energy policies despite a lack of significant progress; threatening to dismiss a cabinet member if he did not repeal the Affordable Care Act, all while preaching loyalty; and promising that Americans would once again be saying “Merry Christmas,” in the middle of July.
The President shared anecdotes about New York City nightlife with 40,000 scouts, praised the economy (is there a Stock Market badge?), and mocked Hillary Clinton’s campaign strategy, all while suggesting that the children present played a role in his election, even though many of them were ineligible to vote. I thought he claimed he wouldn’t discuss politics?
To the surprise of many, all these comments came after Trump abandoned the teleprompter, likely because, unlike the Boy Scouts, his motto seems to be “Never Prepare, Because Truth is Irrelevant.”
As someone who has never been a Boy Scout—and whose children are too young to join—I can appreciate the skills they teach, even if camping isn’t my thing. However, I’ve never felt more relieved to skip a scout-related event. Previous presidents, such as George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, delivered messages focused on values, steering clear of political rhetoric. They highlighted the teachings of the Boy Scouts: character, service, and commitment to country.
While Trump made a few nods in that direction, such as stating, “Through scouting, you also learn to believe in yourself,” the overall tone of his speech mirrored his Twitter outbursts—filled with personal attacks, grievances (many of which were unfounded), and a general lack of decorum.
The jamboree is about celebrating the best in humanity, encouraging its members to strive for greater achievements. Traditionally, the president amplifies this message. Instead, Trump chose to focus solely on himself, showcasing his less admirable traits.
In summary, Trump’s speech at the Boy Scout Jamboree was less about inspiring young minds and more about indulging his own narrative. For those interested in fertility resources, consider exploring this fertility booster or check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination. For additional insights, visit this authority on the topic.