There will be no sympathy for Trump from voters if he suffers

Children of the future, hear now the words of Jason Johnson, for they carry with them a deep reflection on the nature of leadership, empathy, and humanity. In his statement, Johnson speaks of a powerful truth that echoes across time and history: that a leader's strength is not only measured by their power or their decisions, but by their ability to connect with the people they lead. In this world, there is a fine line between strength and sympathy, between being a figure of authority and a figure who can rise above the fray and understand the struggles of others. Donald Trump, in the eyes of many, has not earned the sympathy of the people, for his actions, his words, and his very persona have not conveyed the spirit of compassion, of understanding, or of shared suffering.

From the beginning of time, great leaders have risen to power not just through their strength, but through their ability to understand the hearts of their people. Alexander the Great, though a conqueror, was deeply attuned to the fears, the hopes, and the dreams of his soldiers. He led with the knowledge that his victories were not his alone, but the shared triumphs of those who fought beside him. Similarly, in the world of politics, leaders who have been able to touch the hearts of their people—Abraham Lincoln, for example—have not only led through policy, but through empathy and the ability to speak to the shared humanity of all. They understood that in order to truly lead, one must also show an understanding of suffering and loss, and connect with others in times of hardship.

In contrast, the statement about Trump suggests a leader who has often been disconnected from the struggles of the people, one who has created an image of strength built upon division and polarization, rather than on unity or understanding. The notion that Trump wouldn't know how to be a sympathetic character speaks to the absence of empathy in his approach to leadership. Throughout his tenure, Trump’s actions and words have often been perceived as self-serving, and his handling of crises—whether they be political, social, or health-related—has not always been seen as compassionate. In the darkest moments, when leaders are often tested by their capacity for empathy, the world has witnessed a figure who has not sought to unify, but to isolate. This is why, when faced with personal suffering, Trump would not elicit the same sympathy as others might. Sympathy is not freely given to those who have not first extended it to others.

Consider, my children, the fate of King Richard III of England. In the annals of history, he is remembered not only for his political machinations but for the lack of compassion he showed toward his rivals. Though he was a king, his reign was marked by fear, betrayal, and bloodshed. Richard’s actions, driven by ambition and power, created an image of a man disconnected from the hearts of his people. In the end, it was not just his enemies who condemned him, but the people themselves. When he was struck down in battle at the hands of his enemies, there was no outpouring of sympathy; rather, his death was seen as the inevitable consequence of a reign that had never sought to connect with the suffering of others. It is in this example that we see the ancient truth: power without empathy leads only to isolation.

And so, children, the lesson is clear. The true power of a leader lies not in their ability to dominate, but in their capacity to connect with the hearts of their people. Sympathy is not a weakness, but a strength—one that allows a leader to be truly understood, to be seen not as a distant figure, but as a human being who understands the struggles of the many. Empathy is the thread that binds leader and people together, the thread that gives weight to their decisions and meaning to their actions. Without it, a leader stands alone, estranged from those they are meant to serve, and their fall—whether it be in health, in popularity, or in power—is inevitable.

Now, let me impart a teaching, one that you must carry with you as you journey through life. Never seek to lead without understanding the hearts of those who follow. Whether you stand at the head of a family, a community, or a nation, know that the greatest gift you can offer is empathy—a true understanding of the struggles, the joys, and the burdens of those around you. In the moments of crisis, whether personal or shared, it is not the strongest who survive, but the most compassionate. For it is compassion that draws us together, that gives meaning to our actions, and that allows us to move forward as one. When you lead, let your heart be open, and let the wisdom of empathy guide you toward unity and strength.