The Founder and The Disruptor

3 Surprising Ways Americans Judged Washington and Trump Alike

1.0 Introduction: The Unlikely Mirror

The American public

The American public has long admired leaders whose practical, private-sector success is seen as a qualification for managing the nation's affairs. However, the nature of that admiration reveals a shift in American values

When we picture American presidents, few figures present a starker contrast than George Washington and Donald Trump. Washington is the revered, stoic "Father of His Country," a symbol of republican virtue whose reserved, deliberative style forged a nation. Trump, the polarizing 45th President (who the source document projects will also serve as the 47th), is the ultimate disruptor, a brash, media-driven force whose "America First" rhetoric redefined modern politics. They are separated by centuries, styles, and sensibilities, seemingly occupying opposite ends of the American leadership spectrum.

But what if this stark contrast is more about the trappings of leadership than the substance of public demand? A consistent thread in the American political psyche is the admiration for leaders who project certain core strengths. While the means of communication have evolved from formal addresses to unfiltered social media posts, the public’s fundamental expectations for economic security, executive competence, and decisive crisis management have remained remarkably stable.

A deeper look at the public perception of both men reveals unexpected parallels in what Americans wanted from their president, whether in the late 18th century or the early 21st. Beyond the immense differences in personality and historical context, a pattern of shared public expectations emerges. This shared pattern becomes clear when we examine three specific domains: economic policy, executive competence, and crisis leadership.

2.0 Three Surprising Parallels in How the Public Viewed Washington and Trump

2.1 Both Were Seen as Champions of Economic Protectionism

A consistent thread in the American political psyche is the admiration for leaders perceived as prioritizing domestic economic interests through the strategic use of tariffs. For Washington, this involved a foundational act of nation-building; for Trump, it was a corrective measure against globalization. In both cases, the protectionist stance resonated deeply with a public anxious about its place in the world.

Washington’s support for Alexander Hamilton’s tariffs of 5–10% in 1789 was a powerful signal to a new nation. For a populace where 90% of the workforce resided in rural areas, these policies gave confidence to farmers and merchants, assuring them the government was dedicated to an independent economy. This approach laid a stable foundation, contributing to an impressive 9.78% annual growth in GDP per capita in the late 1790s.

Centuries later, Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy, including a proposed 60% tariff on China, was viewed by his supporters in a similar light: a necessary defense of American industry. While Washington’s policies built an economy from scratch, Trump’s were seen as a high-risk, high-reward effort to reverse globalization’s effects and "bring jobs home." Despite recession fears and projected price hikes, 45% of Americans approved of his trade policies in 2018, demonstrating how economic nationalism remains a powerful tool for leaders to connect with a populace hungry for self-sufficiency.

2.2 The Public Admired Their "Entrepreneur-in-Chief" Mindset

The American public has long admired leaders whose practical, private-sector success is seen as a qualification for managing the nation's affairs. However, the nature of that admiration reveals a shift in American values—from celebrating republican virtue to venerating capitalist branding.

In his time, George Washington was respected for his skillful management of Mount Vernon. His efforts to diversify crops and innovate with commercial fisheries were seen as a model of efficiency and self-reliance—virtues held in high esteem by a public that valued tangible results. Washington’s business acumen was a reflection of republican competence, a private success story that promised sound public management.

Similarly, Donald Trump’s image as a real estate mogul and media personality was central to his appeal. For his supporters, his brand was a symbol of success, and they trusted his business savvy could be applied to government through proposals like the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While Washington modeled practical self-reliance, Trump embodied modern capitalist branding. This enduring American desire to see a successful entrepreneur in the nation’s highest office highlights a consistent belief in translating private-sector prowess into public service, even as the definition of that success has evolved.

2.3 Both Were Valued for Decisive Action in a Crisis

When faced with national challenges, the public in both eras valued a leader who could act decisively and project strength. The nature of these crises—and the actions taken—were vastly different, yet both Washington and Trump earned public respect for their capacity for bold, visible leadership.

Washington’s handling of the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion was a masterclass in establishing federal authority. By personally leading troops to quell the uprising, he decisively demonstrated the power of the new government. Yet, by later pardoning the rebellion’s leaders, he tempered that strength with mercy. This was a masterful political stroke that earned him respect from a public still wary of tyranny, proving the federal government could be powerful but not oppressive.

In 2020, Donald Trump’s Operation Warp Speed was praised as a similarly bold move, leveraging a public-private partnership to accelerate the development of COVID-19 vaccines in a scientific and logistical crisis. While Washington’s action was about defining the legitimacy of the state, Trump’s was about mobilizing the engine of American innovation. At its peak, his pandemic response earned the approval of 52% of Americans, underscoring the consistent public desire for strong, visible leadership during times of national uncertainty.

3.0 Conclusion: The Evolving Face of American Strength

Despite the immense differences in their personas and historical contexts, public perception of George Washington and Donald Trump reveals a consistent set of American desires. Voters in both centuries valued leaders they saw as economic protectors, practical entrepreneurs, and decisive crisis managers. These underlying expectations connect the stoic founder with the modern disruptor in a way that transcends their obvious contrasts.

The divergence, however, is equally telling. Washington’s era valued unity, and his presidency, which enjoyed near-universal approval, is remembered as a unifying triumph. Trump’s thrives on disruption in a deeply polarized nation, with his approval ratings consistently fluctuating between 40-50%. While the core attributes the public sought—a strong economy, business-like efficiency, and powerful leadership—have remained surprisingly constant, the context has fractured. Washington’s mission was to create consensus; Trump’s is to command a base.

Given that Americans still value the same core strengths in their leaders after nearly 250 years, what does this say about the enduring tension between our desire for disruptive change and our deep-seated need for stability?