Trump's Speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Part 2: Who is the Real Donald Trump?

Donald Trump at UN General Assembly

Follow-up on President Donald Trump's speech to the United Nations yesterday, which history will remember as the "Rocket Man" speech. Who is the real Donald Trump? The calm, responsible Donald Trump who can read just fine from a Teleprompter? Or the wild, irrational Donald Trump who spews out insults and conspiracy theories? During the "Rocket Man" speech, stylistic inconsistencies show that both Donald Trumps showed up.

Most of the speech was, although far from calm, consistent with conservative doctrine. Any recent president, even a liberal president, could have said this:

Strong, sovereign nations let diverse countries with different values, different cultures, and different dreams not just coexist, but work side by side on the basis of mutual respect.

Ronald Reagan's speechwriters could produce much better prose, but otherwise Reagan could have said this:

To overcome the perils of the present and to achieve the promise of the future, we must begin with the wisdom of the past.  Our success depends on a coalition of strong and independent nations that embrace their sovereignty to promote security, prosperity, and peace for themselves and for the world.

Other than the phrase "Rocket Man," the "Rocket Man" passage was consistent with long-standing American nuclear doctrine of massive retaliation:

The United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea.  Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime.  

So, for the most part, the "Rocket Man" speech represented the dignified, presidential Donald Trump. But two passages represented the Donald Trump who spews out insults and random bizarre comments.

1. Trump referred to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as "Rocket Man" because of North Korea's recent missile tests. Ronald Reagan or Dwight Eisenhower would never have said that.

2. In a characteristic move, Trump talked about "loser" terrorists.

Most presidential speeches are written by committee. News reports suggest that White House aide Stephen Miller may have drafted this speech, but stylistic inconsistencies suggest that several people, including Mr. Trump himself, penned some of the language.

Dramatic language always gives emphasis. No matter how many careful, sober comments Mr. Trump made, this will always be the "Rocket Man" speech, and the accompanying threat to destroy North Korea dominates the listener's mind.