Trump is reviled around the world, as is the U.S. under his

In the words of Joy Reid: “Trump is reviled around the world, as is the U.S. under his leadership.” These words do not merely concern a single man or a fleeting season of politics; they echo a truth known since the dawn of nations—that the face of a ruler becomes the face of the people. When a leader acts without wisdom, without humility, without care for justice, the whole nation is judged by the shadow of his deeds. To reign is not to exalt oneself, but to carry the weight of one’s people, for in the eyes of the world, the ruler and the ruled are bound together.

The ancients knew this well. When tyrants rose in Greece, it was not only they who bore shame, but the entire polis that was stained. When Nero brought corruption and cruelty to Rome, foreigners mocked not only the emperor but the empire itself, as if the blood of one man polluted the whole river of the people. So it is with Joy Reid’s lament: under such leadership, the United States, long seen as a beacon, appeared dimmed in the eyes of many, its light clouded by the storms of arrogance and division.

Consider also the tale of King Richard II of England, whose vanity and misuse of power estranged him from his subjects and weakened the crown. Though his people were hardy and proud, the scorn of other nations fell upon them because of their sovereign’s folly. Only when his rule ended did the kingdom begin to heal its reputation and regain its dignity. This is the fate of nations: when their leader walks the path of pride, all who dwell within those borders are judged by the same steps.

Reid’s words thus remind us that a nation’s honor is not secured by wealth, armies, or monuments, but by the character of its leadership. For true authority must be rooted in justice, truth, and compassion. When leaders abandon these, their people too are cast in the light of their failures, fair or unfair. This is the price of unity: when one rises, all rise; when one falls, all stumble. Such is the burden and the bond between a people and their chosen ruler.

Yet let us not despair, for history shows that nations can rise again after shame. Germany, after the darkness of Hitler’s tyranny, built a new foundation upon repentance and democracy, earning back the respect of the world through courage and humility. Japan, once seen only as a symbol of war, transformed itself into a nation of peace and innovation, admired and respected. The stain of poor leadership is not eternal; the will of the people, when resolute, can cleanse and restore.

The lesson here is twofold: first, we must never grant power without also demanding accountability, for the deeds of a ruler fall upon all. Second, we must remember that each of us has a role in shaping the soul of our nation. To remain silent in the face of cruelty or falsehood is to consent to be represented by it. To speak, to vote, to act for justice, is to claim ownership of the nation’s name and to protect its honor.

Therefore, O listener, carry this wisdom within you: the world will judge your people by the leaders you allow to rise. Choose them not for their promises of glory, but for their practice of justice. Stand unafraid against tyranny, whether in high office or in your own streets. For if one voice of truth rises, another will join it, and soon the multitude will swell. Only then can a nation walk upright, its head lifted high, its name spoken with respect among the peoples of the earth.