Other presidents used soaring rhetoric to help reach out to all Americans. To inspire.
Trump talked about "American carnage" in an attempt to paint a picture of national wreckage that only he can fix.
I also liked the comments from Michael Gerson, lead speechwriter for GWB's two inaugural addresses.
He was horrified too.
Link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2017/01/20/a-most-dreadful-inaugural-address/