Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address is considered by many to be the best speech ever delivered by an American president, even greater than his Gettysburg Address.

In what Lincoln called his "second swearing-in as President," he began with "My fellow citizens," and concluded: "With malice toward none, kindness toward all, steadfast vindication of the gift which God has given us rights. Seeing justice, let us strive to finish the work we are doing, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for those who will fight and for his widows and orphans, to do all that is possible to achieve and cherish a nation that is just and lasting. Peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

It would be unfair to compare any inaugural address to Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, whose dramatic backdrop was a broken nation in which more than 600,000 people died on the battlefield due to a devastating Civil War, but The Confederacy was expected to win soon. In 1865, he worked against this backdrop, both bleak and hopeful, as he sent his message to the forces of freedom and the Union, as well as to their defeated and soon-to-be-defeated enemies who were about to reunite as fellow citizens.

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President Trump will face a very challenging backdrop on Monday, but not unlike Lincoln. The four years that have just ended have been bleak in many ways, and the world has become a very dangerous place for America, even more dangerous than it was in 1865. Our enemies were not our countrymen in arms, but more numerous and not defeated.

Our citizens were deeply divided but decisively supported Trump in November. The ravaged areas of Southern California are just the latest in a series of major government failures over the past four years. While half of the population is excited that another “Morning in America” is coming, at least a third are fearful of Trump’s return. Somehow, their perceptions have been poisoned by nearly a decade of relentless attacks on “45-47.”

“Trump Derangement Syndrome”, like “Bush Derangement Syndrome” before it, is real. Trump’s combination of toughness and forthright and often ferocious attacks on those who attack him, as well as his candor in stating his views at any given moment on social media platforms like Truth Social and X or in any interview His beliefs and ideas gave him an impatience that was unprecedented in the Oval Office. However, the incoming president faces unprecedented challenges and his naked approach is, if not yet, perfect.

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To whom, then, should he address his speech, and to whom should he address his inaugural address?

First, I hope that part of the president's address will be directed at our country's enemies abroad, particularly China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.

I sincerely hope that Trump will use this opportunity to make it clear that neither he nor his administration will be intimidated by these adversaries and that he will never withdraw from the world stage but intends to keep the second "American Century" going Go down. The United States will not be eclipsed by "the rise of China and its clientele and lackeys," is what I hope he will say.

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The second audience should be domestic political opponents who actually want to listen: not the TDS-challenged “Never Trumpers” and paycheck-driven critics on the airwaves, but the five-year-old who might be sincerely worried about crazy comments coming from afar. one-third of the electorate. -Left about Trump. Humor will be the best way to encourage them to relax and enjoy the great benefits of the coming U.S. economic boom.

Regarding President Joe Biden, I hope he will just say a brief "Thank you for doing your best to bring peace to the Middle East" and an assurance that he, Trump, is already working to revitalize the Abraham Accords and is also committed to Revitalize the Abraham Accords. End the bloody war in Europe.

Finally, in the longest part of the speech, I hope he painted a picture of real hope for prosperity and peace, if they all work together to kill the giant bureaucratic beast that the Beltway and state government have become and fix the problem. Americans can achieve this wish. Restore our nation's military strength.

Trump could quote Ronald Reagan's first inaugural address: "In this crisis, government is not the solution to our problems; government is the problem," and again it's so apt.

Trump can do a lot. Unpredictability is a characteristic of a new president, not a flaw; it is an asset, especially when facing our enemies.

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But most of all, I want Trump to project optimism and hope. In another "Morning in America" ​​moment, he was hilarious. Because we may all be on the cusp of not just huge economic growth and renewed military might, but also demonstrations of technological breakthroughs such as Elon Musk’s take on SpaceX’s Starship, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, small modularity Reactor's Extraordinary "Capture" What's more, if all governments at least get out of our way and theirs, we can also energize humanity's goals of global peace and prosperity.

Donald Trump is a uniquely American figure, along with Reagan and Theodore Roosevelt. Like everyone, both people have their faults. But few have the power to inspire anyone, let alone most citizens.

Trump has the stage and the ability to do this. We will see and hear.

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Hugh Hewitt serves as "The Hugh Hewitt Show", listen on the Salem Radio Network from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. ET and simulcast on the Salem News Channel. Hugh is available through more than 400 affiliates nationwide and on all streaming platforms where SNC can be seen Woke America. A son of Ohio and a graduate of Harvard and the University of Michigan Law School, Hewitt has been hosting Fox News Channel's News Roundtable every Sunday at 6 p.m. Served as Professor of Law at Chapman University's Fowler School of Law, where he taught constitutional law. In 1990, Hewitt launched a radio show of the same name in Los Angeles. Hewitt has appeared regularly on major national news television networks, hosted television programs for PBS and MSNBC, and has written more than a dozen books. and moderated dozens of Republican candidate debates, most recently the November 2023 Republican presidential debate in Miami, as well as four Republican candidate debates for Hewitt in 2015-16. The cycle's presidential debates focus on the Constitution, national security, American politics and the Cleveland Browns and The Guardian. Hewitt has interviewed tens of thousands of guests during his 40-year broadcasting career, ranging from Democrats Hillary Clinton to The Guardian. John Kerry to Republican Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump. This column previews the major stories that will drive his radio/TV appearances today.