It is such a relief to read such a thoughtful, well-expressed essay in a time when my mouth seems to continually open in shock and my mind numb at the crass, callous, ignorant and consistently vulgar expressions uttered by the Commander in Chief and those who serve with him.
The tragedy of his legacy is that he agreed to lead the probe into whether Donald Trump colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election.
The Russian collusion fiasco was one of the great political frauds in U.S. history. It’s a shame Mueller’s long record of service was marred by ill-judged decisions made in this era of acrimony and confusion.
Mueller's legacy will not be marred. Historians ands scholars in the future will analyze the facts and write the truth for history. Unfortunately, we are now so focused on the present moment without the benefit of history's lessons.
I'm a 75 yr old man, married for 51 years, with 2 adult children. Raised by a single mom who left her husband who struck her a few times. No contact with my father until I was 30 and thanked my Mom for leaving him. I turned to Nightingale Conant for tapes and the library to figure out how to be better at stuff. Read a ton of books. This is way before the net and the influencers. IME there's really nothing that much new to understand how to navigate the dilemmas of life in every phase, Yes there are new scientific and sociological studies that offer new perspectives. Yet to be a human - be of service, help others, do your job, volunteer, cut and trim your grass, live simply, avoid clothing labels, and figure out how to take care of your home (like painting and caulking - things that matter). Nobody cares what you wear and if this matters get new friends. Learn how to grill, or make a great Manhattan. Take pleasure in sticking your tongue out kids in the grocery store, and smiling and winking at old old folks. Have fun, be funny, smile, get your head out of the clouds and your ass. Life happens out there. Planning happens inside. All the dilemmas that really matter someone has already written a book about how to address them. The library is your best friend. Use the net to learn who and go and buy or rent their book. One's life is about solving problems and understanding who we are and what we want to do. Alfred Adler said it well about life, "who am I, who are you and what's this thing about sex?" No need to get complicated. Lift weights, don't eat crap, get hammered every now and then and show up on time and do more than expected. Most of all - smile
This is a very good eulogy of a great life where character rose to the top and integrity paid off. However, in portraying Trump as Mueller's opposite, you're ignoring that they were playing different games. Mueller wasn't a politician. Trump is using the same branding exercises that made Obama, who was incompetent, and nursed on the milk of hating America, from weather underground terrorists, Jeremiah Wright and Rashid Khalidi, and yet won elections over patriots and men with proven character like John MacCain and Mitt Romney. (I doubt those two would have gifted billions to Iran or appeased Assad). So you can bemoan the president's lack of character all you want, but unless you were as vocal about Obama, it doesn't hold much weight. The political game is what it is, and right now, nice guys/decent people finish last. But that's not a new thing.
I watched the Inside the Manosphere documentary, and I was appalled by how shallow the movement's ideals are. What a terrible example for young men to follow.
Really interesting piece. The idea that masculinity is evolving toward connection and emotional honesty resonates.
It’s funny how this shows up in music too - even in unexpected places. Songs like Sløtface’s “For the Boys” are almost poking at those same expectations from a different angle.
Culture always seems to get there alongside the conversation.
Donald Trump did not just dodge the Vietnam-era draft. He also claimed later that avoiding getting an STD from all the women he had sex with was his "Vietnam."
He said this many years after Vietnam (1997 on the Howard Stern show), fully conscious of the fact that many poor kids who did not dodge the draft like he did had died in Vietnam.
In every possible way, Trump represents the absolute worst kind of human being.
The argument that modern masculinity must be defined by a narrow template—military service, institutional loyalty, or elite credentialing—misses a fundamental truth: leadership and impact don’t come from resumes, they come from results. By that standard, Donald Trump stands as a legitimate, if unconventional, role model for millions.
Trump did not follow the traditional path. He wasn’t a career politician, a decorated general, or a lifelong bureaucrat. What he represents instead is something far more aligned with how real-world success often works—entrepreneurial risk-taking, instinctive decision-making, and the ability to operate under relentless pressure. He built a global brand, navigated multiple industries, and remained culturally and economically relevant for decades. That doesn’t happen by accident. It requires resilience, adaptability, and a level of competitive drive that most people simply don’t possess.
Critics often dismiss Trump as “brash,” but that critique says more about cultural preferences than leadership effectiveness. In reality, his communication style—sharp, direct, and often confrontational—is precisely what resonates in high-stakes environments. Whether in business negotiations or political arenas, clarity and forcefulness cut through noise. Many leaders soften their message to avoid discomfort; Trump leans into it. For supporters, that reads not as recklessness, but as authenticity.
Another overlooked dimension is independence. Trump’s career reflects a willingness to operate outside traditional systems of approval. He didn’t rely on political gatekeepers, academic institutions, or legacy networks to define his trajectory. That independence is instructive, especially for individuals who don’t fit neatly into established molds. It reinforces the idea that success is not reserved for those who follow prescribed paths—it’s available to those willing to take risks and endure criticism.
There’s also the question of relatability. While some models of masculinity emphasize restraint, hierarchy, and institutional service, Trump embodies a more modern archetype: the self-directed builder who measures success through tangible outcomes—deals closed, businesses launched, influence gained. For many men, especially those in sales, entrepreneurship, or competitive industries, this model feels far more accessible and relevant than one rooted in legacy institutions.
Importantly, leadership is not about universal approval. No effective leader—historically or today—has avoided controversy. What matters is the ability to command attention, mobilize people, and drive action. Trump has demonstrated all three at an exceptional level. His ability to dominate media cycles, energize a base, and shape national conversation is itself a form of influence that cannot be easily dismissed.
Ultimately, the debate over role models shouldn’t be about enforcing a single definition of masculinity. It should recognize that different paths produce different strengths. Figures like Robert Mueller represent one version—structured, institutional, and service-oriented. Trump represents another—entrepreneurial, disruptive, and unapologetically direct.
Both models offer lessons. But to dismiss Trump outright is to ignore a reality that many people recognize instinctively: leadership doesn’t always come polished, credentialed, or conventionally refined. Sometimes it comes loud, unconventional, and undeniably effective.
You forgot to include among Trump's successes the ability to run 5 companies (including a casino, which is a license to print money) into bankruptcy. And how does Trump's father's repeated willingness to bail him out financially support your model of success?
Donald Trump's father, Fred, died at age 93 when Donald Trump was 53, but Fred Trump had been suffering from Alzheimer's for more than a decade.
The old man favored his first born son, Fred, over Donald.
I mention this because Trump did not receive any special consideration from his father other than putting him into a senior position in Fred Trump's real estate company.
Wow what an excellent piece. Thank you @ScottGalloway - again
It is such a relief to read such a thoughtful, well-expressed essay in a time when my mouth seems to continually open in shock and my mind numb at the crass, callous, ignorant and consistently vulgar expressions uttered by the Commander in Chief and those who serve with him.
I love the line " but real influence comes from planting trees whose shade you’ll never sit under." Thanks Scott.
One of the most profound and well written pieces by Scott G. And something worthy of sending on to my sons - #thank you ProfG
Scott's words bring back master lyricist John Prine in "Big Old Goofy World:
Kiss a little baby, give the world a smile
And if you take an inch, give 'em back a mile
'Cause if you lie like a rug, and you don't give a damn
You're never gonna be ... happy as a clam
The tragedy of his legacy is that he agreed to lead the probe into whether Donald Trump colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election.
The Russian collusion fiasco was one of the great political frauds in U.S. history. It’s a shame Mueller’s long record of service was marred by ill-judged decisions made in this era of acrimony and confusion.
Mueller's legacy will not be marred. Historians ands scholars in the future will analyze the facts and write the truth for history. Unfortunately, we are now so focused on the present moment without the benefit of history's lessons.
I'm a 75 yr old man, married for 51 years, with 2 adult children. Raised by a single mom who left her husband who struck her a few times. No contact with my father until I was 30 and thanked my Mom for leaving him. I turned to Nightingale Conant for tapes and the library to figure out how to be better at stuff. Read a ton of books. This is way before the net and the influencers. IME there's really nothing that much new to understand how to navigate the dilemmas of life in every phase, Yes there are new scientific and sociological studies that offer new perspectives. Yet to be a human - be of service, help others, do your job, volunteer, cut and trim your grass, live simply, avoid clothing labels, and figure out how to take care of your home (like painting and caulking - things that matter). Nobody cares what you wear and if this matters get new friends. Learn how to grill, or make a great Manhattan. Take pleasure in sticking your tongue out kids in the grocery store, and smiling and winking at old old folks. Have fun, be funny, smile, get your head out of the clouds and your ass. Life happens out there. Planning happens inside. All the dilemmas that really matter someone has already written a book about how to address them. The library is your best friend. Use the net to learn who and go and buy or rent their book. One's life is about solving problems and understanding who we are and what we want to do. Alfred Adler said it well about life, "who am I, who are you and what's this thing about sex?" No need to get complicated. Lift weights, don't eat crap, get hammered every now and then and show up on time and do more than expected. Most of all - smile
You'd be a good person to know. Bravo.
You lost me when you implied that it was noble to volunteer for the Vietnam War. A black mark on your credibility.
This is a very good eulogy of a great life where character rose to the top and integrity paid off. However, in portraying Trump as Mueller's opposite, you're ignoring that they were playing different games. Mueller wasn't a politician. Trump is using the same branding exercises that made Obama, who was incompetent, and nursed on the milk of hating America, from weather underground terrorists, Jeremiah Wright and Rashid Khalidi, and yet won elections over patriots and men with proven character like John MacCain and Mitt Romney. (I doubt those two would have gifted billions to Iran or appeased Assad). So you can bemoan the president's lack of character all you want, but unless you were as vocal about Obama, it doesn't hold much weight. The political game is what it is, and right now, nice guys/decent people finish last. But that's not a new thing.
I agree more with you than you do with yourself. Bravo.
I watched the Inside the Manosphere documentary, and I was appalled by how shallow the movement's ideals are. What a terrible example for young men to follow.
I thought I was the only one. Bravo.
Really interesting piece. The idea that masculinity is evolving toward connection and emotional honesty resonates.
It’s funny how this shows up in music too - even in unexpected places. Songs like Sløtface’s “For the Boys” are almost poking at those same expectations from a different angle.
Culture always seems to get there alongside the conversation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJaeOhLSYDQ&list=RDjJaeOhLSYDQ&start_radio=1
Donald Trump did not just dodge the Vietnam-era draft. He also claimed later that avoiding getting an STD from all the women he had sex with was his "Vietnam."
He said this many years after Vietnam (1997 on the Howard Stern show), fully conscious of the fact that many poor kids who did not dodge the draft like he did had died in Vietnam.
In every possible way, Trump represents the absolute worst kind of human being.
Thanks for the honest mirror. My Dad was a smart MAN. He taught his sons to always leave the campgrounds cleaner than you found them.
Truly excellent, well written and considered. Thank you!
Always enjoy your Friday comments, but particularly enjoyed those today about Robert Mueller. Well said. Keep up the good work.
The argument that modern masculinity must be defined by a narrow template—military service, institutional loyalty, or elite credentialing—misses a fundamental truth: leadership and impact don’t come from resumes, they come from results. By that standard, Donald Trump stands as a legitimate, if unconventional, role model for millions.
Trump did not follow the traditional path. He wasn’t a career politician, a decorated general, or a lifelong bureaucrat. What he represents instead is something far more aligned with how real-world success often works—entrepreneurial risk-taking, instinctive decision-making, and the ability to operate under relentless pressure. He built a global brand, navigated multiple industries, and remained culturally and economically relevant for decades. That doesn’t happen by accident. It requires resilience, adaptability, and a level of competitive drive that most people simply don’t possess.
Critics often dismiss Trump as “brash,” but that critique says more about cultural preferences than leadership effectiveness. In reality, his communication style—sharp, direct, and often confrontational—is precisely what resonates in high-stakes environments. Whether in business negotiations or political arenas, clarity and forcefulness cut through noise. Many leaders soften their message to avoid discomfort; Trump leans into it. For supporters, that reads not as recklessness, but as authenticity.
Another overlooked dimension is independence. Trump’s career reflects a willingness to operate outside traditional systems of approval. He didn’t rely on political gatekeepers, academic institutions, or legacy networks to define his trajectory. That independence is instructive, especially for individuals who don’t fit neatly into established molds. It reinforces the idea that success is not reserved for those who follow prescribed paths—it’s available to those willing to take risks and endure criticism.
There’s also the question of relatability. While some models of masculinity emphasize restraint, hierarchy, and institutional service, Trump embodies a more modern archetype: the self-directed builder who measures success through tangible outcomes—deals closed, businesses launched, influence gained. For many men, especially those in sales, entrepreneurship, or competitive industries, this model feels far more accessible and relevant than one rooted in legacy institutions.
Importantly, leadership is not about universal approval. No effective leader—historically or today—has avoided controversy. What matters is the ability to command attention, mobilize people, and drive action. Trump has demonstrated all three at an exceptional level. His ability to dominate media cycles, energize a base, and shape national conversation is itself a form of influence that cannot be easily dismissed.
Ultimately, the debate over role models shouldn’t be about enforcing a single definition of masculinity. It should recognize that different paths produce different strengths. Figures like Robert Mueller represent one version—structured, institutional, and service-oriented. Trump represents another—entrepreneurial, disruptive, and unapologetically direct.
Both models offer lessons. But to dismiss Trump outright is to ignore a reality that many people recognize instinctively: leadership doesn’t always come polished, credentialed, or conventionally refined. Sometimes it comes loud, unconventional, and undeniably effective.
You forgot to include among Trump's successes the ability to run 5 companies (including a casino, which is a license to print money) into bankruptcy. And how does Trump's father's repeated willingness to bail him out financially support your model of success?
Donald Trump's father, Fred, died at age 93 when Donald Trump was 53, but Fred Trump had been suffering from Alzheimer's for more than a decade.
The old man favored his first born son, Fred, over Donald.
I mention this because Trump did not receive any special consideration from his father other than putting him into a senior position in Fred Trump's real estate company.
Get your facts straight.
Perfect response. Just brilliant. Bravo.