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Sound Off

Sound Off: May 24, 2026

The motorcade with President Donald Trump drives in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after a visit to see the new blue protective coating being applied as part of a renovation project on May 7, 2026, in Washington.
The motorcade with President Donald Trump drives in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after a visit to see the new blue protective coating being applied as part of a renovation project on May 7, 2026, in Washington. Pool

Sun Herald readers weigh in on local and national topics.

Symbolic

So for 4 years, the Democrats, led by President Biden, allowed the reflection pool in Washington to deteriorate. A national monument left in disrepair, turned green, filled with algae and looked like a sewage pond. President Trump gets into office, cleans up the mess, and repairs the damage done by the Democrats. Now the Democrats are angry that our national monument is being restored. This seems to be very symbolic of what is going on throughout the country.

Typical

I’m not sure there is any better way to describe the Trump presidency than the ballroom and the reflection pool. The president identifies things that probably need fixing. He then no-bid hires his friends, the job costs soar and everybody involved makes a bunch of money. While the American taxpayer finds himself and herself on the hook.

China flags

Apparently the starter kit for children in Communist China now includes a lifetime supply of flags. The “keep forever” collection features China, Russia, and North Korea. The American flag, meanwhile, appears to come in the disposable party-pack version; use once, stomp dramatically, discard. Nothing says “state-approved patriotism” quite like mass-produced outrage with coordinated props.

Trump’s America

I can’t wait to see the stampede to Donald Trump’s door by the Jan. 6 rioters to get their hands on the slush fund money he just extorted from taxpayers. So they get pardoned and then get paid for their “acts of love?” Only in Trump’s America could this happen.

History

The “Fund of German Trade and Industry” was created, a huge slush fund administered by Martin Bormann in the Führer’s name. The regime used the funds to compensate stormtroopers who committed street violence, subsidize the SS, and enrich Nazi party officials.

TDS

The affliction has claimed another job. So long, Stephen Colbert. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

Get ready

I’ve heard an awful lot of talk about a Blue Wave and how the Democrats are going to take back the House. Were you paying attention this week? Trump-backed candidates dominated. Get ready for more.

Endangered

The RINO has suddenly and, thankfully, become an endangered animal. And will be even more so once Texas votes.

Reality

I keep reading about how President Trump’s approval rating is historically low. Yet I keep seeing Trump-backed candidates succeeding. Get ready for another long election night, Dems.

Politicized DOD

In the middle of a stalemated war with Iran, our nation’s Secretary of War campaigned for a congressman in Kentucky’s GOP primary contest. How does that make any sense? Our nation’s military is becoming politicized, and that’s not a good thing.

Those were the days

I do long for the days when the biggest complaint the party in charge could levy against the president was that he wore a color of suit they didn’t approve of.

Funding the ballroom

If President Trump wants a $1 billion White House ballroom, perhaps he should fund it with the $1.7 billion settlement he is getting for the unauthorized release of some of his tax returns by a government contractor. That should cover construction costs, with $700 million leftover for tables and chairs, as well as a nice set of dishes and flatware (gold, of course). BTW, how does one justify settlement damages of $1.7 billion?

Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com.

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