Leadership works best when you’re not the smartest person in the room because, let’s be honest, “If you’re the smartest person in the room, then you’re in the wrong room.” Not my words—that quote is widely attributed to Confucius, though others like Marissa Mayer and Lorne Michaels have echoed it. Whoever said it first, the point stands: real growth happens when you’re surrounded by people who challenge you, not just clap for you.
At a recent cabinet meeting, Donald Trump’s top officials did not discuss solving problems extensively. Instead, they spent over two hours praising him like he was a king. Or worse, like North Korea’s Kim Jong Il.
One by one, Trump’s cabinet members stood up and gave glowing speeches about how perfect Trump’s first 100 days of his second term have been. Some were even wearing matching red ties. All had red MAGA hats on the table in front of them.
CNN put together a sample of cabinet officials praising Trump during the cabinet meeting pic.twitter.com/GmYrQJnJcR
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 1, 2025
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Even conservative commentator Ann Coulter said, “Would it be possible to have a cabinet meeting without the Kim Jong Il-style tributes?” That’s saying a lot.
Let’s talk about some of the most over-the-top comments.
Attorney General Pam Bondi told Trump, “Your first 100 days has far exceeded that of ANY other presidency in this country. Ever.” Ever? Even more than Abraham Lincoln or Franklin D. Roosevelt?
Elon Musk, who somehow became Trump’s special advisor, said this: “It’s more than has been in any administration before, ever, period. I think this could be the greatest administration since the founding of the country.” That’s not just praise—it’s fiction.
And then came Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He said Trump has brought a “recruiting renaissance” to the military. He blamed Joe Biden for a weak army and then said people are now rushing to join the military just because of Trump. But is that even true?
Actually, military recruitment has been in decline for years, and polls show many young Americans are hesitant to join. So where is Pete finding this ‘renaissance’?
Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave the most dramatic line: “Forty-seven for the 47th president. In the first hundred days.” He was referring to the number of Americans who had returned from overseas. However, many of those deals were already underway during the last administration.
The economy is going down, with the GDP falling by 1.2 percent in his first 100 days, the worst drop this early in any presidency since 1974. The stock market has also declined by 8 percent, negatively impacting retirements, savings, and investments. Immigration is also in trouble, with over 250 people sent out of the country without court hearings.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said, “I want to thank you for your leadership, for giving me the 100 busiest days of my life and most exciting and most rewarding.” But how can that be true when hospital systems are facing staffing shortages and several federal health programs have been paused due to budget confusion?
Democracy relies on leaders who are honest and willing to confront challenges. Not ones who pretend everything is perfect while the house burns down.
Featured image via Screengrab
