WASHINGTON – As a child growing up in Baltimore, George Cleveland was reminded of his grandfather’s significant legacy by the portrait hanging on the living room wall. Although George never met his paternal grandfather, who served as the President of the United States, history filled in the gaps for him. His grandfather, Grover Cleveland, holds a unique place in presidential history as the only president to have served non-consecutive terms, a fact that often turns into a popular trivia question on shows like Jeopardy!
George Cleveland, a self-employed consultant residing in rural Tamworth, New Hampshire, is the grandson of Grover Cleveland. Despite being the grandson of a president from over a century ago, George finds it surreal and fascinating to have a direct connection to such historical significance. He acknowledges the unusual nature of his lineage, considering the technological advancements that have occurred since his grandfather’s time in office.
Looking ahead, history will soon see a rewrite as Donald Trump, who lost the presidency to Joe Biden four years ago, prepares to begin his second term in the White House. This will place him alongside Grover Cleveland in the history books as one of the few presidents to serve non-consecutive terms.
When asked about Trump potentially overshadowing his grandfather’s legacy, George Cleveland remains unperturbed, viewing it simply as a record that will eventually be surpassed. Despite maintaining a neutral stance on Trump and avoiding discussing his voting preference, George reflects on his family’s modest approach to their famous ancestor in his early years. It wasn’t until he was around 9 or 10 years old that he truly grasped the significance of his grandfather’s historical impact, marked by the grandeur of events like birthday celebrations at Grover Cleveland’s gravesite.
George Cleveland’s unique perspective on history, shaped by his familial ties to a former president, offers a blend of reverence, curiosity, and a touch of amusement at the peculiarities of his family lineage.
“He remembered being very impressed by the situation. He realized that there was something significant about it. George Cleveland, whose older sister Frances Cleveland lives in France, gained insights into his grandfather’s White House life through items like a portrait in their family home and a couple of grainy black-and-white photos. In one photo, a Christmas tree adorned with tinsel and bulbs is seen in the Oval Room on the second floor of the presidential mansion, surrounded by dolls that George Cleveland jokingly notes would be considered creepy by today’s standards.
In the 1990s, George Cleveland delved deeper into his grandfather’s history and began performing historical interpretations and character impersonations, often dressed in period costumes as Grover Cleveland and other historical figures.
Comparing Trump and Cleveland: Contrasts Galore
As Trump returns to the White House, some people seek parallels between him and Grover Cleveland. However, George Cleveland only sees differences – stark differences, he says. “Grover was intensely focused and a workaholic,” he explained.
In an exclusive interview with USA TODAY, Biden reveals his biggest regret and the compliment Trump paid him. Grover Cleveland, the nation’s 22nd and 24th president, was a fiscally conservative Democrat. If alive today, George Cleveland speculates that he would likely align more with libertarian ideals. This, he believes, does not apply to Trump.
While Trump fills his Cabinet with loyalists, Grover Cleveland strongly opposed patronage. He always chose the most qualified individuals, which irked many in Congress and contributed to his election loss in 1888.
Unlike Trump, who dislikes admitting defeat and rarely acknowledges mistakes, Grover Cleveland could admit when he was wrong.
Grover Cleveland’s history was not all admirable. During his first term, he expanded the Chinese Exclusion Act, barring Chinese immigrants who left the U.S. from returning. George Cleveland describes this as one of the most regrettable actions taken, contradicting Grover’s stance on Hawaii, where he opposed annexation and supported restoring the non-white monarchy.
George Cleveland intends to watch Trump’s inauguration from home, provided his internet connection cooperates.”
Sometimes we watch presidential inaugurals on TV; Michael Collins (@mcollinsNEWS) doesn’t. He’s been to two in person – Bill Clinton’s first in 1993 and Barack Obama’s first in 2009, the latter etched in his memory as “one of the most spectacular experiences of my life.” “They’re important events to watch,” he said. “It is a celebratory manifestation of democracy. At least that’s what it has been.”
When Trump returns to the White House, Grover Cleveland won’t be the sole president to lose and then regain the presidency, but his position in history remains unchallenged. “Grover is still the first,” his grandson affirmed. And he’s still on the $1,000 bill.
Michael Collins covers the White House. Follow him on Twitter @mcollinsNEWS. This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Grover Cleveland’s grandson on Trump, his own ‘weird’ view of history.
