President Donald Trump on Thursday compared his ‘Make America Great Again’ campiagn phrase with ex-President George H. W. Bush’s, and said that the people understood his message better than Bush Sr’s.
Trump reportedly said:
“You know all of the rhetoric you see… ‘Thousands Points of Light.’ What the hell was that by the way? ‘Thousand Points of Light.’ What does that mean? I know one thing: ‘Make America Great Again’ we understand. Putting America first we understand. ‘Thousand Points of Light,’ I never quite got that one. What the hell is that? Has anyone ever figured that one out? It was put out by a Republican, wasn’t it?”
The point of contention was a phrase Bush coined during his 1988 presidential campaign – “A Thousand Points of Light”. The slogan was meant to highlight the importance of community volunteer organizations that “spread like stars” through America.
Jenna Bush Hager, the granddaughter of former President George H. W. Bush who served one term in office from 1989-1993, took offense at Trumps speech at the rally and tweeted out a quote from a letter her grandfather, now 94, wrote in 1997 about kindness.
From a letter my grandfather wrote in 1997: a point of light was a vision about serving others, one that lit up our country, one I hope our country hasn’t lost. pic.twitter.com/JTq9BHcbvf
— Jenna Bush Hager (@JennaBushHager) July 6, 2018
“You ask about The Pursuit of Happiness at a good time in my life. I have pursued life itself over many years now and with varying degrees of happiness. Some of my happiness still comes form trying to be in my own small way a true ‘point of light.’ I believe I was right when I said, as President, there can be no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others. SO I do that now, and I gain happiness. I do not seek a Pulitzer Prize. I do not want press attention. I don’t crave sitting at the head table or winning one of the many coveted awards Offered by the many organizations across the land. I have found happiness. I no longer pursue it, for it is mine.”
In her tweet, Hager also explained what her grandfather meant by the phrase:
“‘Point of Light ‘was a vision about serving others, one that lit up our country. One I hope our country hasn’t lost.”
Points of Light Foundation — a nonprofit organization inspired by Bush Sr’s message – which mobilizes millions of people each year to participate in volunteer work also tweeted about how it was inspired by its founder President.
With these words, nearly 3 decades ago, our founder President @GeorgeHWBush ignited a spirit of volunteerism and inspired millions to be points of light in communities around the world. Find out more at https://t.co/AtnCv7ftGk. pic.twitter.com/gF78YE9BX3
— Points of Light (@PointsofLight) July 6, 2018
Just weeks ago Hager’s mother, Laura Bush, spoke up against Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy and said: “I live in a border state. I appreciate the need to enforce and protect our international boundaries, but this zero-tolerance policy is cruel. It is immoral. And it breaks my heart.”
President Trump has since reversed his ‘zero tolerance’ immigration policy. But this has not stopped Democrats and left-leaning individuals to continue their attacks on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Trump on the hand has promised to save ICE to eradicate worst criminal elements at U.S. borders.