Are we seeing a new, improved version of Trump?

‘M aking America Great Again’, ‘America First’, now an attempt to revive the ‘American Spirit’. Donald Trump has come a long way from being an abrasive businessman, to politician and president. He sounded closest to being president-like on Tuesday during his speech to Congress. Boring to some because the shock value was missing, but inspiring to others considering the polarised times we are living in. The speech wasn’t tame, but it was dull by Trump’s standards, perhaps because he delivered it differently, in a softer tone. He thought longer before having his speech-writing team draft it for him. Trump is no statesman, yet he’s trying to create a unique identity for himself, on his terms, or shall we say, term. Who knows he could take another shot at the presidency if he delivers speeches like the latest one. He tried to be the unifier, the pacifier, though there is a long way to go for any semblance of unity in the country. It was a measured speech and Trump deserves some credit, though his pet themes — immmigration, terrorism, Obamacare, infrastracture, lower taxes and more Nato spending were brought to the fore. No compromise there.

Fundamentally, there’s no change in the way he thinks, but he’s trying to win some bipartisan support for what he thinks the administration needs to do in the national interest. He didn’t shy away from linking religion to terrorism, which Barack Obama refrained from doing during his tenure. He paused after every word for effect. This speech was all about the different style the president adopted while the substance remained the same. It was varnished and could strike a chord with those sitting on the fence in American politics. In a sense, Trump did an Obama on Congress. After what was seen as a disastrous start, the president is striking the right notes to find some political harmony as he governs the country and serves to protect its interests abroad. It’s an achievement of sorts for Trump. An adroit president is what the US, the so-called leader of the free world, needs. But knowing Trump, it would be unwise to raise expectations so early in the presidency.