Yesterday, Donald Trump delivered the commencement address at Liberty University.  For an individual who values superlatives, I must give the devil his due.  His remarks took hypocrisy to a new level.  As I read the transcript, I could only imagine how a younger Donald Trump would have reflected on his commencement speech if the current Donald had been the speaker at his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania in 1968.  Consider the following excerpts from Trump’s remarks to the Liberty graduates.

2017 Trump:
Then ask yourself, with all of those blessings, and all of the blessings that you’ve been given, what will you give back to this country and, indeed, to the world? What imprint will you leave in the sands of history?

1968 Trump:
You think I’m blessed now.  Just wait until Dad’s dead and I inherit all that money.  I’ll be able to do anything I want.  Not many people know this, but they let you do anything you want when you’re rich. Maybe play golf every weekend.

Hmmm, sands of history.  I know, maybe I’ll invest in a pipeline that carries tar sand from Canada to the United States.  No one can say that won’t leave an imprint.

2017 Trump:
I know that each of you will be a warrior for the truth, will be a warrior for our country, and for your family.

1968 Trump:
Well, two out of three ain’t bad.  I have been a warrior for my country.  After all I did attend a military prep school.  I still have flashbacks about morning formations. And I know I’ll be a warrior for my family.  Better yet, I’ll be a warrior for several of my families.  That truth thing though; that is something I’ll need to work on.

2017 Trump:
A small group of failed voices who think they know everything and understand everyone want to tell everybody else how to live and what to do and how to think.

1968 Trump:
Sounds good to me.  Even someone as unpopular as I am can put together a “small group.”  And nobody knows more than I do.  Although I do wish I hadn’t skipped my American History 101 class when they covered the Civil War.  

2017 Trump:
Most importantly, you have to do what you love. You have to do what you love. I’ve seen so many people, they’re forced through lots of reasons, sometimes including family, to go down a path that they don’t want to go down, to go down a path that leads them to something that they don’t love, that they don’t enjoy.

1968 Trump:
Good advice.  Dad wants me to join him in the real estate business.  But I’d rather be playing golf and hanging out with beautiful, young women.  I know.  I’ll pretend that I’m in real estate and when Dad kicks the bucket, I’ll use my inheritance to buy golf courses and sponsor beauty contests.  But my business professors told me I need to diversify to hedge my investments.  So maybe I’ll buy a few casinos.  You know what the say, “The House always wins.”  What could be a safer investment than a casino?

The last thing I’d ever do is take a job I wouldn’t enjoy.  You know who doesn’t seem to be enjoying his job.  President Johnson.  All those protests and accusations about a unwinnable war in Southeast Asia? Who’d want to be in his place?

2017 Trump:
We must always remember that we share one home and one glorious destiny whether we are brown, black or white.

1968 Trump:
Ha! Ha! Ha!  That’s a good one.  Brown, black and white people can share one home unless the brown and black ones are trying to rent an apartment in a Trump property.  Right, Dad?

FOOTNOTE

During the commencement ceremony, Liberty University President presented Trump with an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree.  While this piece of paper is slightly more valuable than a degree from Trump University, His Orangeness probably believes this will help him when he faces trial for high crimes and misdemeanors.  I’m sure he doesn’t think the old adage, “A lawyer who defends himself has a fool for a client,” applies to him.  But, in this case, the maxim applies to EVERY lawyer on Trump’s defense team.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP