‘Dust, sweat and blood’: White House uses Roosevelt speech to cast Trump as fighter; shows him in a Coliseum

“It is not the critic who counts…” With those opening words from former US President Theodore Roosevelt, the White House on Friday (local time) framed Donald Trump as a battle-worn leader confronting his critics head-on. In a post on X, it quoted the former president’s famous 1910 “Man in the Arena” speech, a message often reserved for those who act decisively in the face of adversity.Shared alongside a dramatic image portraying Trump in a Roman-style arena, the quote frames him as “the man in the arena”, a leader who acts despite obstacles and criticism.The quote, taken from Roosevelt’s 1910 speech “Citizenship in a Republic” delivered at the Sorbonne in Paris, is often used to praise those who take bold decisions and face public scrutiny. The timing and tone of the post signal an effort to reframe Trump’s embattled presidency as a test of resilience, determination, and leadership under pressure.The quote, shared with an image of Trump, continues, “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”The quote was shared with an image of Trump walking alone through a Roman-style coliseum, a symbolic representation of the “arena.” Surrounded by towering stands, a darkened sky, and the ruins of a grand structure, Trump is shown striding forward, past a worn American flag, facing the crowd and whatever lies ahead. The imagery appeared to underline the message that the 47th president of the United States is standing firm in the midst of turmoil, criticism, and political opposition.Trump is facing a mountain of controversies, more recently of being mentioned in Epstein’s file. However, he has denied the allegations as a hoax.Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has claimed significant achievements in the first six months of his second term. Donald Trump, “who spends himself in a worthy cause,” has claimed that the first six months of his presidency have delivered significant achievements. Since returning to the White House in January as the 47th president, his second term has already brought major shifts in both domestic and foreign policy. From tax reforms and economic policies to stricter border controls and bold international agreements.