David Lynch Clarifies the 'One of the Greatest Presidents' Remark

David Lynch would like to contextualize some comments which were possibly misconstru–oh, fuck it, Trump doesn’t read past the hed. TRUMP BAD.

For literates: David Lynch remarked to the Guardian this weekend that Trump might “go down as one of the greatest presidents in history” because Trump has bulldozed over democracy to the point where politicians are going to have to use any tools at their disposal to rebuild. Per the Guardian:

“He could go down as one of the greatest presidents in history because he has disrupted the thing so much. No one is able to counter this guy in an intelligent way.” While Trump may not be doing a good job himself, Lynch thinks, he is opening up a space where other outsiders might. “Our so-called leaders can’t take the country forward, can’t get anything done. Like children, they are. Trump has shown all this.”

The quote is especially grating after the Supreme Court rulings today upholding the Muslim ban and allowing clinics to withhold information about abortion, which were made possible by the conservative majority on the bench, which exists because of Trump appointee Neil Gorsuch, who will be very likely stick around until he dies.

Someone who reads sent Trump the quote in a tweetable Breitbart headline, and then Trump read it as a self-endorsement at a campaign rally at which he was supposed to be stumping for South Carolina governor Henry McMaster, but it turned into this:

“Veteran filmmaker David Lynch believes President Trump could be remembered as one of the greatest presidents in American history–” [cheers]

Now of course Lynch has posted a letter on Facebook clarifying that greatest does not mean greatest:

Dear Mr. President,

This is David Lynch writing. I saw that you re-tweeted the Breitbart article with the heading – Director David Lynch: Trump ‘Could Go Down as One of the Greatest Presidents in History.’ I wish you and I could sit down and have a talk. This quote which has traveled around was taken a bit out of context and would need some explaining.

Unfortunately, if you continue as you have been, you will not have a chance to go down in history as a great president. This would be very sad it seems for you – and for the country. You are causing suffering and division.

It’s not too late to turn the ship around. Point our ship toward a bright future for all. You can unite the country. Your soul will sing. Under great loving leadership, no one loses – everybody wins. It’s something I hope you think about and take to heart. All you need to do is treat all the people as you would like to be treated.