President Theodore Roosevelt had little use for profanity in public discourse. He viewed the English language as a rich and boundless resource for expressing powerful thoughts and ideas. “Why curse when there is such a magnificent language with which to discourse?” he said.
Why, indeed.
Americans used to expect better from their elected leaders. Even if politicians might swear in private, they avoided public expletives. This was respectful toward the English language, the nation’s youth and a sense of public propriety. Words matter.
Does profanity work?
It’s doubtful President Donald Trump’s decision to use coarse language in a Truth Social post aimed at the leaders of Iran over the weekend, and to belittle the Islamic religion (“Praise be to Allah”), persuaded the Iranian regime or anyone else.
The words failed to add emphasis to his warnings that he would begin to bomb Iran’s civil infrastructure unless the Strait of Hormuz was opened to safe passage. Indeed, the profanity over an Easter weekend distracted from the message itself.
The words did, however, serve to offend countless Muslims, who number 2 billion worldwide, most of whom are peaceful, thus threatening to drive a wedge where an olive branch is most needed.
Consider, instead, how a rousing and well-crafted argument against Iran’s long history of threats to the Western world, including its sponsorship of terrorism, could have built a compelling case for ousting the country’s ruling regime. Not to mention the opportunity over an Easter weekend to promote healing.
Tone deaf
The president’s post on Truth Social was especially tone-deaf in that it was sent on Easter, the holiest of days for many Christians worldwide. The holiday could have provided an ideal background for discussing the miraculous rescues of two American airmen who were shot down over the weekend in Iran. That would have resonated with a nation of believers better than profanities.
Indeed, Trump evoked that Easter theme at a news conference on Monday, noting that the second airman was shot down on Good Friday and rescued on Easter.
“God is good,” the president said, adding that the rescue was an “Easter miracle.” He should have stuck with that theme all weekend.
How Americans feel
An opinion poll by the Deseret News and the Hinckley Institute of Politics found that only about 3 in 10 Americans, and about the same number of Utahns, believe cursing by politicians is either somewhat or completely acceptable.
When it comes to war, calm self-assurance speaks louder than ranting expletives.
It’s worth noting that Trump’s post was sent on the day that President Dallin H. Oaks, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, taught at the church’s 196th Annual General Conference about the path to peace.
“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you,” he said, quoting Jesus Christ.
“What a revolutionary teaching for personal relationships! Love even your enemies!”
President Oaks said, “As followers of Christ, we should seek to live peaceably and lovingly with other children of God who do not share our values and do not have the covenant obligations we have assumed.”
It also came as Pope Leo XIV delivered an Easter address that condemned violence and called for peace.
“On this day of celebration, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars and marked by a hatred and indifference that make us feel powerless in the face of evil.”
Speak softly …
Theodore Roosevelt understood that true power is not loud, boastful or threatening. “Speak softly and carry a big stick,” he said.
That has long been the tenor of America’s greatness. It’s time to return to it.