Unfair criticism and what Trump needs to learn

“Starting on day one, we will end inflation and make America affordable again, to bring down the prices of all goods.”

That’s what candidate Donald J. Trump said in August while stumping in Montana.

By now you know the Consumer Price Index increased 3% in January over a year ago and liberal news outlets gleefully are jumping down Trump’s throat.

But let’s be fair. He didn’t become President until Jan. 20. How can he reasonably be blamed for the January increase?

Reasonably, he can’t, but we are talking cheap political advantage, not reason.

He has no one to blame except himself, for his habit of promising things he could not deliver.

Such as ending the Russia-Ukraine war on “day one.”

Nice sentiment, but not within his ability. Conversely, he has delivered on other “day one” promises, through executive orders.

Here’s a list of 11 “day one” promises.

He’s been in office for less than a month and he’s being blamed for the price of eggs.

That’s unfair, but he never should have promised his election would result in instant lowering of inflation and groceries.

Campaign promises are notoriously difficult to keep. He delivered only a fraction of them during his first term, per a score card developed by PolitiFact.

During his first candidacy, journalist Selena Zito summed up Trump’s appeal — and rejection — by saying his fans take him seriously but not literally, while journalists take him literally, but not seriously.

That remains true.

I am not a fan of Trump’s, but I am a fan of fair play, which I accord to both sides.

I know MAGA people will be saying, “He is working on ending the war.”

Yes, he is. And I wish him well.

And it would have been so much better if he had said he would devote time and energy to ending the war, instead of saying he would get it done on “day one,” or even earlier. He said it. Don’t blame others for repeating it.

Take Marc Fogel.

Trump was applauded for gaining the release of the American hostage because he went about the quiet business of diplomacy and surprised us, rather than his usual blistering braggadocio in advance. See how that works?

I know he’s a fan of Teddy Roosevelt.

Trump might try to employ Teddy’s advice — speak softly and carry a big stick. That might please his friends, and confound his critics.