President Trump’s Approach to Responsibility

WASHINGTON (AP) — The phrase “The buck stops here” is famous in presidential history. Yet, President Donald Trump rarely follows this motto. Concerns about the economy and inflation are often attributed to his predecessor, Joe Biden, despite Biden being out of office for over 18 months. Trump also promised a quick economic turnaround.

Regarding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool’s issues, Trump blamed vandalism. However, a prosecutor appointed by Trump pointed to poor workmanship instead. His stance on the unpopular Iran war is that earlier presidents missed opportunities to address Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

All modern presidents pass some responsibility onto others, often blaming predecessors or Congress. However, Trump’s approach marks a significant shift. He embraces a de facto strategy of being in charge but not responsible for failures.

“Taking responsibility is a leadership characteristic,” said Nicole Anslover, a history professor at Florida Atlantic University.

This approach is under scrutiny before the midterm elections as Republicans aim to retain control of Congress. Trump’s refusal to accept blame leads him to sometimes deny problems exist, which may present challenges for GOP leaders in tight races.

The White House claims Trump is addressing long-standing issues, ensuring American benefits from policies like tax cuts and increased domestic energy production. His avoidance of responsibility dates back to his first term.

Truman popularized “The buck stops here,” a phrase stemming from poker games where the buckhorn knife indicated the dealer’s turn.

“The president must decide and can’t pass the buck. It’s his job,” Truman stated in 1953.

Trump echoed similar beliefs before his presidency, claiming accountability as a business leader. However, as president, he frequently shifts blame.

Nicole Anslover noted that presidents such as Truman, Kennedy, Reagan, Bush, and Obama often accept responsibility for significant decisions or errors.

Trump acknowledged voter discontent in a recent interview, but attributed it to congressional Republicans, not himself. His approval rating on economic issues fell from 40% in March 2025 to 32% in July 2026. Pew Research Center polling indicates most Americans believe his policies worsened economic conditions.

Pollster Frank Luntz emphasized public expectations for the president to focus on affordability.

Trump, however, blames Biden for inflation, noting it hit a peak during Biden’s term. Trump stated, “When we took office, we inherited a total catastrophe.”

Andrew Bates, Democratic strategist, criticized Trump for not recalling his promises to combat inflation immediately.

Trump shows similar patterns with the Iran war, describing it as a “little excursion.” Despite initial claims of a brief conflict, it persists with no clear resolution.

He also misrepresented efforts to fix the Reflecting Pool, blaming past administrations and vandalism. However, claims of vandalism have been dismissed due to lack of evidence.

According to Anslover, after years in politics, Trump often disregards presidential norms, which doesn’t seem to bother many supporters. “For many Americans, the presidency’s perception has shifted,” she said.