Trump’s Version of America Fails at JFK’s Test

by Steve Schmidt | Jun 1, 2026 | Opinions & Commentary

Trump’s Version of America Fails at JFK’s Test

by Steve Schmidt | Jun 1, 2026 | Opinions & Commentary

JFK, in his "City on a Hill" speech talked about responsibility and duty. He talked about gratitude and a connection that exists and binds all Americans through the generations.

Republished with permission from Steve Schmidt

In this 250th year of the United States, I’m writing a series called “The Cause.” “The Cause” was the initial name of the war for the independence of the United States.

Here are the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth installments.

Below is the ninth one, spotlighting John F. Kennedy again today. If you missed my earlier post—“The King vs. Kennedy”—I hope you’ll check it out too.

People often ask what they can do to make a difference in this crucial moment of danger and opportunity.

Read or listen to this speech from President-elect Kennedy to a Joint Convention of the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, The State House, on January 9, 1961. It is often referred to as the “City on a Hill” speech:

I have welcomed this opportunity to address this historic body, and, through you, the people of Massachusetts to whom I am so deeply indebted for a lifetime of friendship and trust.

For fourteen years I have placed my confidence in the citizens of Massachusetts—and they have generously responded by placing their confidence in me.

Now, on the Friday after next, I am to assume new and broader responsibilities. But I am not here to bid farewell to Massachusetts.

For forty-three years—whether I was in London, Washington, the South Pacific, or elsewhere—this has been my home; and, God willing, wherever I serve this shall remain my home.

It was here my grandparents were born—it is here I hope my grandchildren will be born.

I speak neither from false provincial pride nor artful political flattery. For no man about to enter high office in this country can ever be unmindful of the contribution this state has made to our national greatness.

Its leaders have shaped our destiny long before the great republic was born. Its principles have guided our footsteps in times of crisis as well as in times of calm. Its democratic institutions—including this historic body—have served as beacon lights for other nations as well as our sister states.

For what Pericles said to the Athenians has long been true of this commonwealth: “We do not imitate—for we are a model to others.”

And so it is that I carry with me from this state to that high and lonely office to which I now succeed more than fond memories of firm friendships. The enduring qualities of Massachusetts—the common threads woven by the Pilgrim and the Puritan, the fisherman and the farmer, the Yankee and the immigrant—will not be and could not be forgotten in this nation’s executive mansion.

They are an indelible part of my life, my convictions, my view of the past, and my hopes for the future.

Allow me to illustrate: During the last sixty days, I have been at the task of constructing an administration. It has been a long and deliberate process. Some have counseled greater speed. Others have counseled more expedient tests.

But I have been guided by the standard John Winthrop set before his shipmates on the flagship Arbella three hundred and thirty-one years ago, as they, too, faced the task of building a new government on a perilous frontier.

“We must always consider,” he said, “that we shall be as a city upon a hill—the eyes of all people are upon us.”

Today the eyes of all people are truly upon us—and our governments, in every branch, at every level, national, state and local, must be as a city upon a hill—constructed and inhabited by men aware of their great trust and their great responsibilities.

For we are setting out upon a voyage in 1961 no less hazardous than that undertaken by the Arabella in 1630. We are committing ourselves to tasks of statecraft no less awesome than that of governing the Massachusetts Bay Colony, beset as it was then by terror without and disorder within.

History will not judge our endeavors—and a government cannot be selected—merely on the basis of color or creed or even party affiliation. Neither will competence and loyalty and stature, while essential to the utmost, suffice in times such as these.

For of those to whom much is given, much is required. And when at some future date the high court of history sits in judgment on each one of us—recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state—our success or failure, in whatever office we may hold, will be measured by the answers to four questions:

First, were we truly men of courage—with the courage to stand up to one’s enemies—and the courage to stand up, when necessary, to one’s associates—the courage to resist public pressure, as well as private greed

Secondly, were we truly men of judgment—with perceptive judgment of the future as well as the past—of our own mistakes as well as the mistakes of others—with enough wisdom to know that we did not know, and enough candor to admit it?

Third, were we truly men of integrity—men who never ran out on either the principles in which they believed or the people who believed in them—men who believed in us—men whom neither financial gain nor political ambition could ever divert from the fulfillment of our sacred trust?

Finally, were we truly men of dedication—with an honor mortgaged to no single individual or group, and compromised by no private obligation or aim, but devoted solely to serving the public good and the national interest.

Courage—judgment—integrity—dedication—these are the historic qualities of the Bay Colony and the Bay State—the qualities which this state has consistently sent to this chamber on Beacon Hill here in Boston and to Capitol Hill back in Washington.

And these are the qualities which, with God’s help, this son of Massachusetts hopes will characterize our government’s conduct in the four stormy years that lie ahead.

Humbly I ask His help in that undertaking—but aware that on earth His will is worked by men. I ask for your help and your prayers, as I embark on this new and solemn journey.

John Kennedy was 43 years old when he gave this speech. It’s exquisite and inspiring.

JFK talks about setting forth on a journey. He talks about responsibility and duty. He talks about gratitude and a connection that exists and binds all Americans through the generations.

He talks about Massachusetts and the elemental role that the cradle of American liberty has played in kindling the birth and advancement of American freedom. He talks about his grandparents and his hopes for his yet-born grandchildren. He talks about opportunity and danger.

Digest his words about America being at the edge of a “perilous frontier.” He summons the foundations of our national greatness.

JFK quotes Governor John Winthrop aboard flagship Arabella as a new world is imagined and a government is created.

We shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us.

He applies a test for service.

JFK calls for leaders to be measured as men (and women) of (i) courage, (ii) judgement, (iii) integrity and (iv) dedication.

He says:

For of those to whom much is given, much is required.

Hear his words.

Let them stir within you a dedication to this country at a moment of new danger.

John F. Kennedy saw the future in 1961, and understood his moment with perfect clarity.

He would have understood this one as well. The test hasn’t changed.

Steve Schmidt

Steve Schmidt

Steve Schmidt is a political analyst for MSNBC and NBC News. He served as a political strategist for George W. Bush and the John McCain presidential campaign. Schmidt is a founder of The Lincoln Project, a group founded to campaign against former President Trump. It became the most financially successful Super-PAC in American history, raising almost $100 million to campaign against Trump's failed 2020 re-election bid. He left the group in 2021.

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