Ed Satalia

State College

As our nation approaches its 250th birthday, former President George W. Bush reflected on George Washington’s defining trait: humility. In “For a Leader, Humility Is the Ultimate Strength,” Bush reminded us that Washington understood power as a trust, not a possession. He surrendered command of the Continental Army after the Revolution and stepped down after two presidential terms — choosing country over ego and setting a precedent that shaped the republic.

Bush never mentioned Donald Trump. He didn’t have to.

Washington relinquished power. Trump monetizes it.

Trump has sued American taxpayers for $10 billion over the leak of tax returns he long promised to release. He has splashed his name and likeness across federal properties — from the Kennedy Center to the Department of Justice, from children’s savings accounts to warships and national park passes. He has reportedly threatened to withhold support for infrastructure projects unless Penn Station and Dulles Airport are renamed in his honor.

And it doesn’t stop at symbolism. His family business has sought trademarks tied to potential airport names, including for airport-themed merchandise — luggage, animal carriers, even “shoes for protection of airline passengers’ feet during airport security screening.” Public office, in this model, is not a public trust but a branding opportunity.

Washington showed the world that democratic leadership requires restraint and willingness to put the good of the country over self-interest.

Two hundred fifty years later, we must decide whether the presidency should remain a public trust or become a personal side hustle.