The 45. US President Donald J. Trump © Alex Brandon/AP/dpa
Stefan Prystawik is a staunch member of the U.S. Republican Party. The German-American publicist takes a critical view of the Trump presidency. On our site interview, he classifies Trump's first speech as U.S. president.
Interviewer: As a Republican, aren't you in a bit of a quandary with Trump??
Stefan Prystawik (US Republican and publicist): That one does. Especially if you are critical of such a figure as Trump. That certainly applies to me. Life will certainly not be easy in the next few years.
Interviewer: It makes your heart bleed a little when you see what is happening to your party, doesn't it??
Prystawik: Absolutely. After all, we've had compromise candidates in the past who either became president or not. All these people would definitely have been good to work with. Incidentally, this includes current Vice President Mike Pence. Even with a bleeding heart, you simply have to make a cut here and say: It doesn't work that way. By the way, it's not just me, but many others in the party establishment, as well as large numbers of ordinary party members.
Interviewer: The swearing-in in Washington was watched by the whole world, with hope as well as suspicion. What was your personal impression?
Prystawik: That was even more patriotic than one is used to even in America. I thought it was all a bit over the top, in typical Trump fashion. Also the speech he gave. He had written much of it himself. I find that alarming.
Interviewer: He himself billed it as a philosophical speech. Too high?
Prystawik: I would say so, yes. He could have had a philosophical speech written for him, but since he insisted on determining the content himself, it naturally turned out accordingly. He's been absolutely true to himself on that. When you see the reactions from all over the world, there is also corresponding horror.
Interviewer: Six clergymen were also present at the swearing-in, more than ever before at an inauguration. Among them New York's Catholic Archbishop Timothy Cardinal Dolan. What role does that play, especially this multitude of faith representatives??
Prystawik: The Republican party has a lot of support in both the Catholic Church and the evangelical sector – in and of itself. That plays a fundamental role first of all. What I still can't really comprehend: For so many people, faith sets moral standards. People who also live these standards. Still, they look past so much about Trump that makes the man impossible. It's a smaller part that consistently says: We can't explain to our children what the man is doing. Many others voted for him anyway. This is already noticeable. I find a remark by Cardinal Dolan quite interesting: In the intercession he quoted: "Lord, if we lack your wisdom, we are nothing."I think that speaks for itself.
Interviewer: What will Trump's relationship with the churches look like in the next four years?
Prystawik: That will depend on how many of his announcements he actually implements and especially how consistent he is morally. First of all it is not to be rejected in principle if someone is "Pro Life", thus against the abortion politics. Of course, this is also well received in the ecclesiastical sphere and is understandable. This also has backing in the Republican party. But that is only one side of the coin. The other side will be: How does he behave when faced with a moral dilemma or other difficult decisions. It will depend on how much support he has left from the church sector.
Interviewer: A lot of conjecture right now about how Trump's presidency will play out. Some suspect that he will stumble upon a scandal, Trump himself, on the other hand, is already talking about a candidacy in 2020. What do you think the next four years in the U.S. will look like?
Prystawik: That is difficult. But I would guess that impeachment is still the most likely outcome. He will offer some reason, even if it is only formal-legal. Morally it is with him another thing. A sex scandal like Bill Clinton's, he will only laugh about it. With him such a thing has apparently no large effects. However, if he makes any grosser blunders as president, it will matter. We know from the past that such procedures take a comparatively long time. Knowing Trump, he could then offer other occasions for impeachment during these proceedings. This could happen. I can hardly imagine a term of eight years, also in view of the fact that he is now already over 70. But many observers say it's not even that likely that he will last the first term.
Interviewer: Let us look into the crystal ball. When will there be the 46. Presidents of the USA?
Prystawik: I would say in the next three to four years.
The interview was conducted by Renardo Schlegelmilch.