The Message Left In This Memorial’s Guest Book Shows What Happens When Trump Goes Off-Script

During his first foreign tour, President Trump visited Yad Vashem, Israel’s national Holocaust memorial, speaking to his audience in honor of the millions who lost their lives amid the systematic murder of Jews. His prepared speech (a transcript of which is available here) was eloquent, sympathetic, and gracious in a manner befitting the occasion.

However, the world was reminded shortly thereafter, when Trump went off script, that the sentiments he conveyed were a far cry from his own voice. A comparison of the Yad Vashem guest book remarks left by President Trump and President Obama highlights the discrepancy between the styles and demeanors of the two presidents, as well as the vast difference between Trump’s prepared remarks and his extemporaneous ones.

Obama’s remarks read:

I am grateful to Yad Vashem and all of those responsible for this remarkable institution. At a time of great peril and promise, war and strife, we are blessed to have such a powerful reminder of man's potential for great evil, but also our capacity to rise up from tragedy and remake our world. Let our children come here, and know this history, so that they can add their voices to proclaim "never again." And may we remember those who perished, not only as victims, but also as individuals who hoped and loved and dreamed like us, and who have become symbols of the human spirit.

Trump’s remarks read:

It is a great honor to be here with all of my friends — so amazing and will Never Forget!

It’s unclear if the capitalization of “never forget” is for emphasis or a callback to the 9/11 rallying cry, but either way, the differences in the two sentiments and styles speak for themselves.

What is markedly more clear at this point is that the tone President Trump takes on Twitter seems to be his default method of communication unless he’s enlisted the help of ghostwriters.