Trump, as president-elect, has been both a uniter and a divider
For President-elect Donald Trump, political healing has been a sometime vocation.
Trump the Uniter
Victory speech, Nov. 9:
"To all Republicans and Democrats and independents across this nation, I say it is time for us to come together as one united people. ... I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all Americans. ... For those who have chosen not to support me in the past, of which there were a few people, I'm reaching out to you for your guidance and your help so that we can work together and unify our great country."
Thanksgiving message:
"It is my prayer that on this Thanksgiving we begin to heal our divisions and move forward as one country, strengthened by a shared purpose and very, very common resolve. … We have just finished a long and bruising political campaign. Emotions are raw and tensions just don't heal overnight. But we have before us the chance now to make history together to bring real change to Washington, real safety to our cities and real prosperity to our communities, including our inner cities. … But to succeed we must enlist the effort of our entire nation. … I am asking you to join me in this effort. It is time to restore the bonds of trust between citizens. Because when America is unified, there is nothing beyond our reach, and I mean absolutely nothing."
Phone interview with Today show host Matt Lauer, Dec. 7:
“There’s a lot of division, and we’re going to put it back together and we’re going to have a country that’s very well-healed.”
Cincinnati post-election rally, Dec. 8:
"We are going to bring our country together — all of our country. We're going to find common ground, and we will get the job done properly."
Trump the Divider
Twitter, Nov. 27:
“In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.”
Cincinnati rally, Dec. 8, after members of crowd chanted, “Lock her up!":
"We did have a lot of fun fighting Hillary, didn't we?"
Twitter, Dec. 31:
“Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don't know what to do."
News conference, Jan. 11:
“Lindsey Graham … I’ve been competing with him for quite a while. He’s gonna crack that 1% (in the polls) barrier at some point.’’
Twitter, Jan. 4:
“Republicans must be careful in that the Dems own the failed ObamaCare disaster, with its poor coverage and massive premium increases, like the 116% hike in Arizona. Don’t let the Schumer clowns out of this web ...”
Twitter, Jan. 5:
“The Democrats, led by head clown Chuck Schumer, know how bad ObamaCare is and what a mess they are in.’’
Read more:
Meet the key players in the Trump White House
In Trump Nation, healing is overrated
Trump's aim in his inaugural address: National unity
