As a 17-year-old in high school, I am no expert on politics, but I’m intelligent enough to realize that the media plays a large role in manipulating citizens, and that politicians are cunning liars and, more often than not, corrupt.

Blatant falsehood and hypocrisy is no foreign concept to politics in 2017, and it’s more conspicuous than ever. According to Donald J. Trump’s inaugural speech, “When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice. The Bible tells us, ‘How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.’” How ironic, coming from the man who conducted his entire campaign by instilling fear and prejudice into the American people. Now, this is where zealous and often dogmatic Trump supporters will express distaste against liberals.

Idolizing politicians, whether those be Trump or other individuals, is dangerous. You must be open to discussing and critiquing the people who rule your nation, or you are part of the mass majority of America who is brainwashed by the news and what they think is true.

The election of 2016 divided the nation in ways that were deeply saddening. The elections got to the point where politics drove the nation into wild protests, caused condescending looks onto people with opposing views, and ultimately, made the nation afraid. Hillary Clinton was no saint.  Clinton, in fact, had many flaws. However, in comparison to Trump, she was much more qualified to hold this high public office. Her views, especially regarding morals, were far more parallel to mine.

Trump, on the other hand, is very controversial. He has no prior political experience, and his actions and words are offensive and demeaning. For instance, someone who says such vile things about women and excuses it as “locker room talk” is not a good person. Most men would not tolerate such crude statements regardless of where they are said. His speech was rather contrasting with his usual diction.

In his inaugural address, Trump also said, “For many decades we’ve enriched foreign industry at the expense of American industry, subsidized the armies of other countries while allowing for the very sad depletion of our military.” However, according to Eric Schmitt, National Security reporter for the New York Times, “The Pentagon spends about $600 billion a year on the American military, more than is spent on the next six largest world militaries combined. Hardly a depleted force.” Clearly, anyone who doesn’t do research on what they hear would be nodding their head and agreeing with our president. To have inaccuracy in his first speech as president is not a very good impression.

Trump acted childishly and unprofessionally throughout his entire campaign. He mocked a disabled reporter. And no, I don’t care what he “tweeted,” go look at the video. In fact, he has spent time tweeting about how annoyed he is when celebrities express their opinion, a right of all Americans, when he should have been working on filling his cabinet and fulfilling other presidential duties. He declares himself a populist leader in his inauguration, but fails to possess the characteristics of such a person. Trump’s inaugural address expressing concern for “prejudice” is a lie.

Nearly 70 Congress members did not attend Trump’s inauguration and numerous conservatives themselves express dislike for the new president. In fact, there was a letter from G.O.P. National Security officials opposing Donald Trump. According to the New York Times, some of the most prominent signers of the letter were Michael V. Hayden, who was a leader in the C.I.A. and the National Security Agency; John D. Negroponte, who was first “director of national intelligence”; and Robert B. Zoellick, a United States trade representative and former president of the World Bank. Far fewer people attended this inauguration compared to former president Barack Obama’s first term inauguration.

The new president has left the nation in anticipation on what may come next. “A new national pride will stir our souls, lift our sights, and heal our divisions. When America is united, America is totally unstoppable,” said Trump in his address. Considering his entire running time has divided everyone, this is a crucial matter to be dealt with. “We will no longer accept politicians who are all talk and no action — constantly complaining but never doing anything about it,” he said. Your move, Mr. Trump.

All across the nation, millions of Americans, myself included, are discontent and saddened by the new president. He is the summation of everything many Americans are against. However, a peaceful transition of power is important and if he fails us as a president, then we all fail. While I am the last person to ever develop any kind of liking to this man, I have hope that those around him with actual governmental experience will aid him to doing what’s right for this country and without acting upon his words of hate.

Trump’s pompous verbiage makes him very unappealing. However, though times seem bleak for many, in the words of our now president: “Your voice, your hopes, and your dreams will define our American destiny. And your courage and goodness and love will forever guide us along the way.”