Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David McCullough says that for young people, President Donald Trump will serve as a "lesson in how not to be a leader."
In an interview with Time about his anthology of his recent speeches about the lessons of history, "The American Spirit: Who We Are and What We Stand For,"
McCullough was asked about the president's stated admiration for Andrew Jackson, Douglas MacArthur and George Patton.
"He's said he does not read history, or presidential biographies, because, as he has said, he has a mind that can reach beyond all that," McCullough replied.
"That’s utter nonsense. That’s ego-centric illusion. To me, it’s as if we’ve put someone in the pilot seat who has never flown a plane or even read about how you do it."
"So we have to cope with it, by counteracting that, with young people coming along that realize that this is a lesson in how not to be a leader."
He said it's important that Americans "get back on track."
"I never mention [Trump's] name in the book," he told Time. "I'm talking to all Americans. I'm talking as much to the people who voted for him as much as the people who voted against him."
"Let's get this momentary spasm we’re going through over with as soon as possible and out of our minds," he said. "We have to try to figure out how to get back on track."
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