Two U.S. presidents, and America’s decline

In a stark contrast to Abraham Lincoln's speech at the Cooper Union in 1860, where he argued that moral truth and justice would prevail over brute force, Donald Trump recently declared that "might is right" during his address to the United Nations. The former U.S. president suggested that an invasion of Venezuela and gaining control of its resources justified his actions, implying a moral vacuum in the United States.

Trump's comments extend beyond Venezuela, as he also threatened Iran, hinting at the possibility of annihilating the Islamic Republic to prevent it from "killing and destroying people and countries again." These remarks are reminiscent of Trump's stance on Iran, where he questioned whether a deal would allow Iran to "rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before" or if he would "annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly."

Comparing Trump's actions to Abraham Lincoln's, it is clear that the United States has descended into a moral vacuum, with leaders prioritizing brute force over moral truth and justice. Lincoln, in his speech, emphasized the importance of free elections and maintaining international peace and security, even during a tumultuous civil war. On the other hand, Trump's recent remarks at the UN suggest a disregard for moral responsibility and a willingness to resort to violence to achieve his goals.