The inaugural speech Trump won’t give

Donald Trump will give his inaugural address to the nation later this week. Here’s the speech I’d write for him, one he’d never give:

Good afternoon, my fellow Americans. Over the past year and half I have had the opportunity to experience our country in a unique way. I’ve visited small towns, farms, big cities and suburban areas from sea to shining sea. I’ve met people of all religions, races and creeds — north and south. I am in awe of our nation. And I am proud to be a citizen of this great country.

I want to begin by thanking President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for their service over many years to our nation. They are public servants. And while I don’t agree with many of their policies, I respect them as fellow Americans who care and love their country, just as we all do.

In that regard, let me say that I regret having questioned President Obama’s citizenship up until just a few months ago. I realize now that my support of the birther movement was a false and mean-spirited way to undermine the legitimacy of his leadership and the will of the American voters who elected him twice.

We have much work to do. And I want all Americans to feel confident that there are no conflicts of interest within my administration. That’s why I am releasing my own tax returns and fully divesting myself from my business interests. I expect the same of my cabinet. I want Americans to know that my administration’s decisions always will be made with the nation’s interest first.

Now as to the matter of Russia and the elections, I have asked a special blue ribbon committee made up of leading experts, and chaired by former Secretary of Defense, Director of Central Intelligence and Russia expert Robert Gates, to examine the facts and report to the country about what exactly took place. If it is determined that Russia inappropriately intervened in our elections, I will take swift actions that are commensurate in response. We cannot tolerate any foreign power messing with our democracy.

While we are on the issue of foreign policy, I have spoken inappropriately in the past about banning all Muslims from the United States. We will, however, double-down on our efforts in the intelligence community and at the Immigration and Naturalization Service to make sure that anyone with links to terrorist groups will be barred from entering the country, whatever their religion.

During the election, I also promised to build a wall and make Mexico pay for it. I now see that it was an unrealistic goal. Mexico has no interest in paying for the wall and we should spend our precious tax dollars on higher priorities, such as repairing our roads and airports as I have talked about during the campaign. Instead, I have asked the Republican leadership in Congress to come up with a bipartisan plan that humanely addresses our immigration issues.

And as to health care, let’s begin by removing the name Obamacare. Some of my supporters like the coverage but not the name. I know I promised to repeal and replace it. But try to remember what health care was like for millions of Americans before 2010. Find me an alternative that keeps the parts that work and amends the parts that don’t.

I also would like to send a special message to Democrats and the 54% of the electorate who did not vote for me: We are not enemies. We are fellow countrymen and women. I hope there will be some areas where we can compromise and perhaps find common ground. And to the media — mainstream or not — we need you to shine your spotlight with sound reporting that helps keep government honest and informs us of important problems at home and abroad that merit our attention and concern. I respect your work — most of the time.

And finally, I want to apologize to those I offended — in my own party and across the country — during my campaign. I went too far too many times. I realize now that it is OK to admit mistakes. I am not perfect. Meryl Streep was right when she said, “Disrespect invites disrespect. Violence incites violence. When the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose.” I’ll begin by limiting my use of Twitter. Great leaders must rise above the noise and petty distractions.

We have important work to do together to continue to make America great. And note that I have dropped the “again” part of my slogan because after traveling the nation during the election, I know America is already great. Sure, we have problems, but to be a better country I will need all of your help and support in the days ahead. Thank you. And God bless the United States of America.