What would Ben Franklin think of Trump? What would Ben Franklin think of Trump is speculative since Franklin died in 1790, but we can infer from Franklin's values and writings. Franklin valued civic virtue, humility, hard work, scientific inquiry, free press, compromise, diplomacy, and public service over personal profit, and famously said early to bed early to rise and advocated for modesty and frugality. He believed in checks and balances, free speech, and unity of colonies. He disliked authoritarianism, demagoguery, and excessive self promotion, and valued wit and reasoned debate. Franklin might appreciate Trump's business background as entrepreneurial, as Franklin himself was successful businessman and printer, but likely criticize Trump's style of personal attacks, rejection of scientific consensus, and divisive rhetoric, as Franklin prized civility, diplomacy, and Enlightenment reason. Franklin might also critique populist appeals over institutional norms. However, speculation is uncertain, as Franklin was pragmatist who worked with diverse personalities. So what Franklin would think is subjective, but based on his writings he would likely value civic duty and unity and be critical of polarization.
1 votes
Marked as accepted