From Eisenhower to JFK to Trump: I Watched 71 Years of Progress Be Erased in 100 Days
By Janet Kira Lessin
I was born in 1954. Dwight D. Eisenhower was my first president. I remember the image of him sending federal troops to escort a young Black girl into a desegregated school—one of the first political memories etched into my childhood. That moment mattered. It told me that the United States stood for something: justice, courage, and the protection of the innocent against mobs of hate. I believed it.
Then came JFK—my second president. He was young, idealistic, and eloquent. He inspired us to reach for the stars, serve others, face down injustice, and believe in our better angels. JFK didn’t just speak beautifully—he acted boldly. He created USAID, set the stage for the Civil Rights Act, protected the arts, supported unions, elevated the poor, and defended democracy on the world stage. I watched that happen.
For 71 years, I witnessed progress—incremental, sometimes painful—but forward nonetheless: women’s rights, civil rights, voting rights, disability rights, environmental protections, global cooperation, education funding, scientific advancement—all imperfect but real.
In just 100 days, Donald Trump began erasing it with a pen and a vendetta.
And yes, it feels personal.
This isn’t just politics to me—it’s memory. It’s my life. It’s the soul of a nation I once believed in. And now, it’s under siege by a man who, like a malignant narcissist with daddy issues and a God complex, seems obsessed with destroying anyone who shines brighter than he ever could.
USAID: From Lifeline to Lifeless Under Trump
One of JFK’s most visionary legacies, USAID (the United States Agency for International Development) was founded in 1961 to provide global humanitarian aid: food, medicine, water, shelter, education, and health care. It’s saved millions of lives across the globe—from famine-stricken regions in Africa to disaster zones in the Caribbean and war-torn hospitals in the Middle East.
Trump killed it. In his first 100 days, Trump’s administration proposed massive cuts to USAID, eventually hollowing it out. Funding dropped drastically, partnerships were slashed, and critical relief programs ceased. Why? Because humanitarianism, in his worldview, is weakness. Because it was JFK’s creation. And perhaps, simply because he could.
And yes, people died.
Children who would have received malaria nets, vaccines, or basic antibiotics
Mothers in famine regions who were relying on USAID food supplies
Entire villages whose clean water systems dried up when funds were yanked
War-zone clinics that closed after USAID contractors were pulled out
These are not theoretical deaths. These are real human beings—many of them children—who would be alive today had Trump not wielded his narcissism like a machete against humanitarian aid.
Let’s call it what it is: Murder by policy. Genocide by neglect. Death by ego.
The Human Cost: Lives Lost Due to USAID Cuts
The numbers are staggering and heartbreaking:
14 million additional deaths projected by 2030 due to the dismantling of USAID, including 4.5 million children under five, as per a study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health.
210,000 deaths already attributed to the funding freeze, with over 140,000 being children, according to Dr. Brooke Nichols’ impact counter.
1 million children left untreated for severe acute malnutrition, 166,000 deaths from malaria, and 200,000 children paralyzed by polio over the next decade, as warned by senior USAID officials.
These aren’t just statistics—they represent individual lives, families shattered, and communities devastated.
Global Health Setbacks: A Reversal of Decades of Progress
The abrupt cessation of USAID programs has led to:
Interruption of 30 clinical trials, leaving participants without essential treatments for diseases like HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis.
Jeopardizing treatment access for 20 million people, including 500,000 children, due to the freeze in HIV relief programs like PEPFAR.
Increased maternal and child mortality rates, reversing years of progress in global health initiatives.
A Personal Reflection: Witnessing the Dismantling of a Nation’s Soul
I was there.
I watched the marches, speeches, desegregation, and dreams. I watched women rise, the planet get protected, and the idea of democracy mature. I felt proud of my country, not because it was perfect, but because it tried.
Now, one man backed by a cult of cowards is dismantling everything sacred.
But I remember. And I will not let the light go out. Not on my watch.
Visualizing the Impact
To better understand the global reach and the devastating impact of the USAID cuts, here’s an infographic illustrating the before and after scenarios:
Note: This article reflects personal experiences and incorporates data from various sources to highlight the impact of policy decisions on global humanitarian efforts.
President John F. Kennedy’s only grandson, Jack Schlossberg, recently criticized former President Donald Trump, accusing him of systematically dismantling JFK’s legacy. Schlossberg highlighted several of his grandfather’s achievements, such as creating the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), drafting the Civil Rights Act, and championing the arts and labor rights. He contrasted these with actions taken by the Trump administration, including significant cuts to USAID funding and the reversal of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies.
In a series of social media posts, Schlossberg expressed that Trump is “obsessed” with his grandfather, not for his life and accomplishments, but merely for his assassination. He accused Trump of using JFK’s legacy as a political prop, stating, “These men are stealing history from present and future generations—by appropriating the past for their criminal agenda, they normalize themselves in the minds of those without living memory.” Vanity Fair+3Vanity Fair+3HELLO!+3
Schlossberg’s criticisms extend to other areas as well. He noted that while JFK stood up to Russia during the Cold War, Trump has been more conciliatory towards Russia. Additionally, he pointed out that JFK supported unions and advocated for healthcare and higher pay, whereas Trump has taken steps that Schlossberg believes undermine these values.
My connection to this history is profound. Born in 1954, I witnessed the evolution of civil rights and social justice programs from their inception. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who took office on January 20, 1953, played a significant role in the early civil rights movement, notably by sending federal troops to enforce school desegregation in Little Rock, Arkansas. Following him, President Kennedy further advanced these initiatives. Schlossberg’s recent statements underscore the importance of preserving and honoring this legacy.
For more detailed information, you can read the full article from Vanity Fair here: Vanity Fair
JFK’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, recently broke his silence to call Trump out for this. In a video and a series of statements, he accused Trump of being “obsessed” with his grandfather, not because of JFK’s life, ideals, or accomplishments, but because of his assassination. Schlossberg warned that Trump is “using JFK as a political prop” while dismantling the very systems Kennedy created.
“They normalize themselves in the minds of those without living memory,” Schlossberg said. — Vanity Fair
Trump didn’t just slash USAID—he gutted it. He undid DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) policies that aimed to continue JFK’s civil rights legacy. He denigrated the arts, mocked the disabled, tried to overturn healthcare access, and attacked the free press. He flirts with autocrats while betraying our allies. It’s not just JFK’s legacy under attack—it’s Eisenhower’s, LBJ’s, Carter’s, Obama’s, even Lincoln’s. Everyone who ever tried to move this country forward is in Trump’s crosshairs.
Why? Because Trump cannot tolerate greatness that isn’t his own.
This is what malignant narcissists do:
They erase history so only their version remains.
They attack the vulnerable to feel powerful.
They destroy institutions that restrain them.
They target the beloved—to replace them in our hearts with fear.
And now, people are dying because of his policies. From COVID denialism to healthcare sabotage, from climate inaction to war-mongering rhetoric—Trump’s egomania isn’t just dangerous. It’s deadly.
“My grandfather believed in service, compassion, and the dignity of all people. Trump doesn’t care about any of that.” — Jack Schlossberg
What We’re Losing—And Why We Must Remember
This isn’t just about politics. This is about memory. This is about the soul. This is about a witness.
I was there.
I watched the marches, speeches, desegregation, and dreams. I watched women rise, the planet get protected, and the idea of democracy mature. I felt proud of my country, not because it was perfect, but because it tried.
Now, one man backed by a cult of cowards is dismantling everything sacred.
But I remember. And I will not let the light go out. Not on my watch.
Tags:
Trump dismantles JFK legacy, Jack Schlossberg, USAID, Eisenhower desegregation, DEI, civil rights rollback, malignant narcissism, JFK assassination files, American democracy under threat, witness to history, political gaslighting, narcissistic sociopaths in power.
USAID: From Lifeline to Lifeless Under Trump
One of JFK’s most visionary legacies, USAID (the United States Agency for International Development) was founded in 1961 to provide global humanitarian aid: food, medicine, water, shelter, education, and health care. It’s saved millions of lives across the globe—from famine-stricken regions in Africa to disaster zones in the Caribbean and war-torn hospitals in the Middle East.
Trump killed it. In his first 100 days, Trump’s administration proposed massive cuts to USAID, eventually hollowing it out. Funding dropped drastically, partnerships were slashed, and critical relief programs ceased. Why? Because humanitarianism, in his worldview, is weakness. Because it was JFK’s creation. And perhaps, simply because he could.
And yes, people died.
Children who would have received malaria nets, vaccines, or basic antibiotics
Mothers in famine regions who were relying on USAID food supplies
Entire villages whose clean water systems dried up when funds were yanked
War-zone clinics that closed after USAID contractors were pulled out
These are not theoretical deaths. These are real human beings—many of them children—who would be alive today had Trump not wielded his narcissism like a machete against humanitarian aid.
Let’s call it what it is: Murder by policy. Genocide by neglect. Death by ego.
The Human Cost: Lives Lost Due to USAID Cuts
The numbers are staggering and heartbreaking:
14 million additional deaths projected by 2030 due to the dismantling of USAID, including 4.5 million children under five, as per a study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health.
210,000 deaths already attributed to the funding freeze, with over 140,000 being children, according to Dr. Brooke Nichols’ impact counter.
1 million children left untreated for severe acute malnutrition, 166,000 deaths from malaria, and 200,000 children paralyzed by polio over the next decade, as warned by senior USAID officials.
These aren’t just statistics—they represent individual lives, families shattered, and communities devastated.
Global Health Setbacks: A Reversal of Decades of Progress
The abrupt cessation of USAID programs has led to:
Interruption of 30 clinical trials, leaving participants without essential treatments for diseases like HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis.
Jeopardizing treatment access for 20 million people, including 500,000 children, due to the freeze in HIV relief programs like PEPFAR.
Increased maternal and child mortality rates, reversing years of progress in global health initiatives.
A Personal Reflection: Witnessing the Dismantling of a Nation’s Soul
I was there.
I watched the marches, speeches, desegregation, and dreams. I watched women rise, the planet get protected, and the idea of democracy mature. I felt proud of my country, not because it was perfect, but because it tried.
Now, one man backed by a cult of cowards is dismantling everything sacred.
But I remember. And I will not let the light go out. Not on my watch.
Visualizing the Impact
To better understand the global reach and the devastating impact of the USAID cuts, here’s an infographic illustrating the before and after scenarios:
Note: This article reflects personal experiences and incorporates data from various sources to highlight the impact of policy decisions on global humanitarian efforts.
