On the day before Thanksgiving in 2016, then president-elect Donald Trump delivered a Thanksgiving message to the American people as former President Obama counted down his last days in office.
Trump, who would re-emphasize pride in America and our traditions, said, “We are very blessed to call this nation our home and that is what America is: it is our home. It’s where we raise our families, care for our loved ones, look out for our neighbors, and live out our dreams.”
Trump continued, “It is my prayer, that on this Thanksgiving, we begin to heal our divisions and move forward as one country, strengthened by a shared purpose and very, very common resolve.”
“In declaring this national holiday, President Lincoln called upon Americans to speak with ‘one voice and one heart,'” Trump said. “That’s just what we have to do.”
Trump said it was time move beyond an intense presidential campaign.
“We have just finished a long and bruising political campaign,” Trump said. “Emotions are raw and tensions just don’t heal overnight. It doesn’t go quickly, unfortunately, but we have before us the chance now to make history together to bring real change to Washington, real safety to our cities, and real prosperity to our communities, including our inner cities.”
“So important to me, and so important to our country,” Trump said. “But to succeed, we must enlist the effort of our entire nation.”
Trump added: “This historic political campaign is now over. Now begins a great national campaign to rebuild our country and to restore the full promise of America for all of our people. I am asking you to join me in this effort.”
In President-elect Donald Trump's Thanksgiving message, he calls for unity among Americans. https://t.co/Iq86TBfmDX pic.twitter.com/tHOTD3NVWe
— Newsy (@Newsy) November 24, 2016
“It is time to restore the bonds of trust between citizens,” Trump said. “Because when America is unified, there is nothing beyond our reach, and I mean absolutely nothing.”
“Let us give thanks for all that we have, and let us boldly face the exciting new frontiers that lie ahead,” he said.
“Thank you. God Bless You and God Bless America,” Trump finished.