Masterful When He Stays on Script

For reasons that will be explained shortly, this commentary must be very brief.

Putting aside my many differences with President Donald John Trump on such vital matters as his refusal to enforce the Comstock Law to prevent the mailing of abortifacients such as mifepristone, his support for the thoroughly immoral practice of in vitro fertilization, and his enabling of the Israeli genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza, whose infrastructure has been reduced to rubble, leaving hundreds of thousands innocent human homeless and with only a trickle of basic humanitarian aid, I always give credit where credit is due.

As one who has followed politics since 1956—yes, that’s right, I was a strange child, perhaps an stranger senior citizen, I will grant you—and having watched hundreds of political speeches in these past seven decades (as well as giving about a hundred of my own at various times during my own campaigns for office and when campaigning actively for Patrick Joseph Buchanan at this time thirty years ago), I will give credit where credit is due, especially since I do not dislike President Donald John Trump as I am a New Yorker [permanently displaced—as in never wants to back, and that, for me, is quite a statement] who appreciates New York sarcasm and humor.

Leaving aside, therefore, the president’s American exceptionalism and Pelagianism at the end of his speech and his boasts about his economic policies and peacemaking efforts, the latter of which is the stuff of what State of the Union Message addresses consist of, there has been perhaps no one in my lifetime who is better working an audience—and working off of it—than Donald John Trump, who is a master performer when he stays on script.

Thus in the realm of a political analysis from a purely technical, naturalistic perspective, the president delivered a remarkable address even if it appeared he was losing physical stamina during the end of what became the longest State of the Union address since presidents began to deliver them in person to a special joint meeting of the Congress of the United States of America. Although last year’s speech prompted Fox News chief political analyst Britt Hume, who cut his journalistic eyeteeth under the legendary investigative report Jack Anderson fifty years ago, to say, “Donald Trump is the political colossus of our time, perhaps of all time.” I cannot disagree with that, and last night’s speech was even better delivered and more on point, well, at least most of the time, than last was last year’s, which was not considered a “State of the Union” message formally because the president had recently been sworn in for his second, nonconsecutive term.

Donald John Trump may lack the rhetorical and literary mastery of President Ronald Wilson Reagan, who combined folksy humor, including self-effacing humor, reflecting his decades of delivering lines as an actor and, to be fair, his careful reading of much of the thought of the founding fathers.

However, Trump is more effective than even Reagan was in using emotional storylines to highlight his policy objectives, something that he accomplished poignantly by citing the relatives of those killing by violent criminal acts of illegal immigrants, and by mentioning the heroism of members of the military, including those of Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover, whose wife blessed his dog tags with holy water prior to his undertaking the mission to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicholas Maduro before segueing to discuss the heroics of a still living one hundred year old veteran Navy fighter pilot, Royce Williams, who flew missions in World II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War:

But the deeds of one warrior that night will live forever in the eternal chronicles of military valor, Chief Warrant Officer Five, Eric Slover, planned the mission and was the flight lead in the cockpit of the first helicopter. A big, beautiful, powerful helicopter, it was a massive Chinook carrying, as you can imagine, many, many American warfighters.

Wearing the dog tags his wife Amy had blessed with holy water before he left, she knew it was going to be a rough one. Eric steered the Chinook under the cover of night and descended swiftly upon Maduros' heavily protected military fortress. This was a major military installation protected by thousands of soldiers and guarded by Russian and Chinese military technology.

How did that work out? Not too good. [Laughter] While preparing to land, enemy machine guns fired from every angle and Eric was hit very badly in the leg and hip, one bullet after another. He absorbed four agonizing shots, shredding his leg into numerous pieces. And yet, despite the fact that the use of his legs was vital to a successful helicopter flight -- legs are the most important part of flying a helicopter -- to deliver the many commandos who would capture and detain Maduro was the only thing Eric was thinking about.

Then even as he was gushing blood, which was flowing back down the aisle -- a helicopter lands at a steep angle -- the machine gun stood right in front of him. They were right in front of him, two machine gunners, who escaped the wrath of the previous planes. Eric maneuvered his helicopter with all of those lives and souls to face the enemy and let his gunners eliminate the threat -- turned the helicopter around so the gunners could take care of business, saving the lives of his fellow warriors from what could have been a catastrophic crash deep in enemy territory.

Only after safely landing the helicopter with all the warriors aboard in the exact right spot, which was vital to the mission, we probably would have had maybe cancel the mission if that didn't happen, Eric told his copilot, also wounded but not as gravely, to take over, I'm about ready to pass out. The success of the entire mission and the lives of his fellow warriors hinge on Eric's ability to take the searing pain, it was unbelievable what's happened to his legs, of the bullets and keep on flying and landing and people knew what was happening.

Everybody in the back of the helicopter knew because they saw the blood pouring down the aisle. Chief Warrant Officer Slover is still recovering from his serious wounds, but I'm thrilled to say that he is here tonight with his wife Amy. Eric and Amy, come on in. [Audience chants "USA"] So we have a surprise for Eric and Amy. In recognition of Eric's actions above and beyond the call of duty, I would now like to ask General Jonathan Braga to present Chief Warrant Officer Slover with our nation's highest military award, the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Well, thank you very much, Eric and Amy, great to get to know you. I met with them and with a lot of their fellow warriors at Fort Bragg recently. You notice the name Fort Bragg, we have it back, we brought it back. We won the First World War with it, the Second World War with it and then they decide to change the name, but we changed it back.

Everybody wanted it changed back too. And 10 of Eric's fellow warriors from that incredible night of victory will also be receiving medals at a private ceremony that will soon be held at the White House, and Eric, you'll be there. Thank you. Thank you, Eric. That's a big one. Tonight, We've celebrated many truly extraordinary American patriots, but there is one last living legend to honor before we go. He is one more heroic American aviator, navy fighter pilot Royce Williams served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, flying more than 220 missions.

In the skies over Korea in 1952, Royce was in the dogfight of a lifetime, legendary dogfight. Flying through blizzard conditions, his squadron was ambushed by seven Soviet fighter planes. It was his first aerial combat of the war and despite being massively outnumbered and outgunned, Royce led the takedown of four enemy jets and almost destroyed the others, vanquishing his adversaries while taking 263 bullets to his own plane and being seriously hurt.

His story was secret for over 50 years. He didn't even want to tell his wife, but the legend grew and grew. But tonight, at 100 years old, this brave Navy captain is finally getting the recognition he deserves. He was a legend long before this evening. Royce, please stand up and I will ask the First Lady of the United States to present Captain Royce Williams with his Congressional Medal of Honor.

Gilroy said, thank you, Eric. I've always wanted the Congressional Medal of Honor, but I was informed, I'm not allowed to give it to myself and I wouldn't know why I'd be taking it. But if they ever open up that law, I will be there with you someday. But, you know, that's our highest honor, Congressional Medal of Honor.

And that's a big thing and it's an honor to be in the same room with you. Thank you both, very much, Eric, thank you. (Donald Trump: State of the Union Address - February 24, 2026.)

The President also surprised the niece, Alejandro Gonzalez, of a political prisoner in Venezuela, Enrique Gonzalez, who had been released from a notorious prison for Maduro opponents, with her father’s presence in the Capitol Gallery:

With us tonight is Alejandro Gonzalez.

She grew up in a tight knit Venezuelan family and was especially close to her beloved uncle, Enrique. But after Enrique ran for office and opposed Maduro, he was kidnaped by Maduro's security forces and thrown into the regime's really infamous prison in Caracas. Alejandro feared she would never see her uncle again.

She feared for her own life also. But since the raid, we have worked with the new leadership, and they have ordered the closure of that vile prison and released hundreds of political prisoners already with more to come. Alejandro, I'm pleased to inform you that not only has your uncle been released, but he's here tonight.

We brought him over to celebrate his freedom with you in person. Enrique, please come down. Thank you, Enrique. Have a good time. Nice to have you back, Enrique. (Donald Trump: State of the Union Address - February 24, 2026.)

As a New Yorker, though, the most enjoyable part of the speech was when the Democrats refused to stand when the President introduced a young lady who was taken from her parents when she was a teenager because they refused to her their “son” after she had been confused by the “gender transitioning” fascists. The girl underwent terrible abuse, but not one Democrat could applaud her courage as they are committed to the promotion of this evil, among many others, as part of their “human rights” and “gender equality” agenda, prompting Trump to go full New Yorker on the Democrats when he said, “These people are crazy.” (see Breaking911 on X: Trump to Democrats: "these people are crazy. I'm telling you. They're crazy." https://t.co/ypXJnow4sL" / X.)

Two other lines stand out, the first concerning that the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal immigrants, and then lamenting the fact that no one Democrat supports a voter identification law for Federal elections even though between eighty and ninety percent of the American supports such a requirement.

So, tonight, I'm inviting every legislator to join with my administration in reaffirming a fundamental principle. If you agree with this statement, then stand up and show your support. The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.

Isn't that a shame? You should be ashamed of yourself, not standing up. You should be ashamed of yourselves. (Donald Trump: State of the Union Address - February 24, 2026.)

That cheating is rampant in our elections. It's rampant. It's very simple, all voters must show voter ID. All voters must show proof of citizenship in order to vote. And no more crooked mail-in ballots except for illness, disability, military or travel, none. And this should be an easy one, and by the way, it's polling at 89 percent, including Democrats, 89 percent.

Donald Trump

And even the new communist mayor of New York City, I think he's a nice guy, actually, speak to him a lot. Bad policy, but nice guy. Just said they want people to shovel snow. They got hit hard. Wants them to shovel snow. But if you apply for that job, you need to show two original forms of ID and a Social Security card.

Yet, they don't want identification for the greatest privilege of them all, voting in America. No, it's no good, no good. Both Republicans and Democrats overwhelmingly agree on the policy that we just enunciated and Congress should unite and enact this common sense, country-saving legislation right now and it should be before anything else happens.

And the reason they don't want to do it, why would anybody not want voter ID? One reason, because they want to cheat. There's only one reason. They make up all excuses. They say it's racist. They come up with things. You almost say, what imagination they have. They want to cheat, they have cheated and their policy is so bad that the only way they can get elected is to cheat and we're going to stop it. We have to stop it, John. (Donald Trump: State of the Union Address - February 24, 2026.)

The President was very opaque about his objectives with respect the American military’s buildup near Iran, and he was much more circumspect about the Supreme Court’s decision in Learning Resources, Inc., v. Donald J. Trump, than he was five days ago in his shameful personal attacks on Associate Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett on matter that is not received infallibly from the hand of God, namely, tariffs.

The president’s performance, therefore, was masterful, controlled, and filled with times of justifiable contempt for the member of the organized crime family of the false opposite of the naturalist “left,” many of whom lived down to their own very low standards of deportment, intolerance, and arrogance.

What does this mean for the common good of the United States of America viewed in light of man’s Last End.

Absolutely nothing, and it doesn’t necessarily mean much about what will happen during the midterm Congression elections on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, the Feast of Saint Charles Borromeo within the Octave of All Saints. The outcome of those elections will have much to do about the state of the economy at that time and about what will have happened in any military operation against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Although I give credit where credit is due, political theatre is junk food for the mind. Little else.

For our part as Catholics and as citizens of the United States of America, we can enjoy these spectacles for what they are without coming to project our own fondest desires into the minds and hearts of those who know nothing about the Social Reign of Christ the King or that common temporal good must be pursued according to the Mind of Our Divine King as He has discharged it exclusively in His Catholic Church in all that pertains to the good of souls and also in light of man’s Last End by fostering those conditions within a nation that will be more conducive to the sanctification and salvation of souls.

Entrusting ourselves to Our Lady on this Ember Wednesday in Lent, may we focus first and foremost on the sanctification and salvation of our immoral souls as the consecrated slaves of her Divine Son through her Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, remembering to pray as many Rosaries each day as our state-in-life permits.

An Afterword

The MRI that I underwent on Monday, February 23, 2026, the Feast of Saint Peter Damian and the Commemorations of Monday in the First Week of Lent and of the Vigil of Saint Matthias, revealed significant osteoarthritic deterioration of my left wrist, which is not properly connected to the left hand. Two physicians with whom I have consulted have said that the report is the worst description of a wrist that they had ever seen. The rheumatologist who ordered the imaging recommended that I consult a hand surgeon, which I am not going to, at least not for the present.

The human body is fragile because of Original Sin, and our own Actual Sins also contribute to the weakening of the body, to be sure.

In many cases, though, the frailties of the human body are simply God’s loving way of humiliating us and remind us, “Mememto homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulveris reveterem.”

These loving penances that Our Lord sends to us are meant to purify us if we accept them with equanimity, joy, and gratitude as they mean that He is not through trying to get us to make reparation for own sins, that we are not among the reprobated, many of whom He leaves to their own devices until they seek Him out with a humble, contrite heart.

I have known for over three years now that the left wrist was deteriorating, but I had no idea about the extent of this deterioration. Now that I do know, though, I have make some adjustments concerning the amount of work that I do for my website and the spacing between articles as there is no question that the constant typing over the course of the last thirty-four years is very much responsible for the condition.

Begging your patience for a day or so, therefore, I will probably proceed with less articles and at least some of my pathetically low-tech videos every month, and I suppose it is time to put together a few book projects for the vast “multitudes” (NOT!) who might be interested. I am not getting any younger, and perhaps I should spend more time collecting my work rather than repeating myself ad infinitum, ad nauseam.

As always, of course, I am need of non-tax-deductible financial gifts to support the work of this site, which has been voluminous since it went live online on February 20, 2024. I have tried to do my best over the years to keep up with this week even with a concussion, cracked ribs, the usual spinal difficulties, and that broken hip back on December 14, 2021. It appears as though that the very functioning of my left hand and wrist is at risk here, so there needs to be something of an adjustment.

Keep checking as I can be strong-willed. There might be days when I find it necessary to thrown caution to the wind and write a long commentary, but I think that prudence is called for now as my work continues at a slower pace than before.

Thank you for your patience and your prayers.

In Christ the King and His Most Blessed Mother,

Thomas A. Droleskey, Ph.D.

Publisher-Editor

www.ChristorChaos.com