President Trump’s Planned Library — Beware!

Philip Kotler

My wife and I have greatly admired Presidential Libraries. So far, we have visited five of the 16 that exist. We have spent several hours in each, reviewing all the important events and decisions that took place during each President’s period in office. The libraries contain documents, objects, art and personal effects.

Typically the money for constructing and operating the library is raised from the President’s supporters after his term of office is over. Watching over the property and managing paid admissions is typically in the hands of the National Archives.

The purpose of these libraries is to contain documents and objects of high interest for the public to see and for historians and researchers to evaluate and comment on that Presidency.

The real question is: who determines the contents of each President’s library? An ideal arrangement would invite a panel of scholars who are experts on that President to determine the library’s content. An un-ideal arrangement would consist of the President having the sole right to determine the content of that President’s library.

In Trump’s case, Trump wants the right to determine all the content! Knowing Trump, he will want to highlight all the events and decisions that make him look grear and avoid any materials that make him look bad. His library will become another monument to his glorified self-image. The building will be ornate and gilded. A golden stature of Trump will be the first figure in sight, possibly clothed in an ancient Roman outfit.

The irony is that hopefully some group will decide to erect an alternative Trump Presidential Library containing mountains of controversial data, documents and commentaries showing the dark side of his Presidency and the political, constitutional, social and economic lasting harm that occurred during and after his administration ended.