4/20/2026

My Dear Friend & POTUS, DJT,

Did you see the super cute video of POTUS 44 & MNYC 111 singing Wheels on the Bus with some PK kiddos in their classroom? The best part was when Barak told the kids he’d need some help getting up off the floor. I’d love to see you to do something similar. Acknowledging your aging body would humanize you & demonstrate that you have some humility.

Has anyone ever suggested that to you before? I’m afraid that your experience in the business world has led you to some to the problematic conclusion that humble people don’t get ahead. While corporate success can be enhanced by self-promotion, psychology research in organizational behavior shows many advantages accrue to leaders who practice humility.  For example, firms with down-to-earth CEOs tend to have “ambidextrous strategic orientations” which lead to better collaboration & enhanced outcomes. 

You showed a bit of humility at Saturday’s news conference by showering praise on RFK, Jr. & Dr. Oz. when you announced your Exec Order to allow suicidal vets to try ibogaine. It would have been even better if you had NOT begun your remarks by spotlighting yourself & claiming the whole effort was your idea. You don’t have to take credit. In fact, you might not want to, given that ibogaine is known to sometimes trigger potentially fatal heart problems.

Speaking of humility, I was disappointed when I asked AI which of the CA governor candidates was the most humble & it told me it didn’t have that info. Upon further investigation I learned Tom Styer draws a Jerusalem Cross on the back of his hand because it’s the “international sign of humility, and a reminder to tell the truth, even if they put you on a cross for it.” Something about that statement doesn’t sound humble to me. Katie Porter’s “Whiteboard Warriors Tour” involves humble messaging, but her nasty outbursts at journalists & staff suggest otherwise. Perhaps being a humble politician is close to impossible nowadays.

I like to imagine you starting a humility campaign where you publicly proclaim your effort to practice greater modesty. You can call out arrogance when you see it so people like the new leader of Hungary, Péter Márki-Zay, & the new president of Burma, MAH, will stop putting themselves on pedestals & instead admit mistakes & ask for help. That would be such refreshing change!

BYBS,