(LibertySociety.com) – Super Bowl champion Ryan Clark has opened up about his thoughts on President-elect Donald Trump’s return to office, expressing that while he respects the presidency, he finds it difficult to respect Trump as an individual. The former NFL defensive back and ESPN analyst shared his perspective in a video posted to X (formerly Twitter), reflecting on the election’s outcome and the polarizing nature of Trump’s leadership.
Clark voiced concern over the divisiveness that defined Trump’s first term and the 2024 election. “It reminded me how divisive this country had gotten,” Clark said, comparing the jubilant reactions of Trump supporters to the disappointment of those who opposed him. He questioned the celebratory attitudes of some Trump voters, noting that their behavior felt like “boasting” rather than a unifying victory for the country.
Clark contrasted Trump’s presidency with that of Barack Obama, whom he praised for embodying “class, grace, and decency.” Highlighting the lack of personal scandals during Obama’s tenure, Clark stated, “There were no impeachments. There were no felony charges. There were none of these things that were unbecoming of the office.” He expressed disapproval of Trump’s leadership style, recalling moments that he found particularly divisive, such as Trump’s harsh criticism of athletes who protested during the national anthem.
Referencing Trump’s slogan, “Make America Great Again,” Clark questioned the notion that America wasn’t already great. He noted that Trump’s rhetoric during his first presidency and the 2020 election exacerbated national divisions. “In 2016, I remember someone sitting in that office calling people that peacefully protested sons of b—-es,” Clark said. He went on to describe 2020 as “the most divided this country had ever been,” a division he attributes in part to Trump’s leadership.
While Clark acknowledged that not all Trump supporters share the same rhetoric or beliefs, he made it clear that his respect would extend to the office of the presidency but not to Trump himself. “It’s going to be forever hard to respect the man – and I don’t and I won’t. But I will respect the office,” he said.
Concluding on a hopeful note, Clark expressed his desire for Trump to lead with a sense of responsibility for all Americans. “I want to be a sane man in an insane society,” he said. “I won’t be divisive. But I do hope, for all of our sakes, he understands that he’s our president.”
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