Mandatory Reading Assignment for Mitch Leyor Congregants and Brand Ambassadors — Time to Get Tough: Make America Great Again
Time to Get Tough: Make America Great Again
— Donald J. Trump
Required Reading & Essay Assignment
All Mitch Leyor congregants and brand ambassadors are expected to read the 2024 edition of Donald J. Trump’s Time to Get Tough: Make America Great Again and complete the 1,500-word essay described below.
The purpose of this assignment is to understand the book’s arguments, examine Trump’s vision for America, and develop thoughtful, independent conclusions. Participants may agree, disagree, or reach a mixed conclusion. The quality of the analysis matters more than reaching a particular political position.
Major Themes to Consider
While reading, pay attention to Trump’s arguments concerning:
American jobs and economic growth
Trade and international competition
Taxes and government spending
Business and regulation
Immigration and border security
National security
America’s role in the world
Leadership and national responsibility
Opportunities facing future generations
1,500-Word Essay
Essay Question
What is Donald Trump’s vision for America as presented in Time to Get Tough, and what are the strongest arguments for and against that vision?
Word Count
Introduction: 150 words
Economic Vision: 300 words
National Strength & Security: 250 words
America and the Next Generation: 250 words
Critical Evaluation: 400 words
Conclusion: 150 words
Total: 1,500 words
Your essay should use specific ideas from the book and clearly distinguish between what Trump argues and your own evaluation of those arguments.
Short Reference Essay
Understanding Trump’s Vision for America
In Time to Get Tough: Make America Great Again, Donald Trump presents a vision of America centered on economic strength, national confidence, security, and putting American interests at the forefront of government policy. Throughout the book, he argues that America should negotiate from a position of strength and that government policies should encourage economic growth, protect American workers, and maintain the country’s ability to compete internationally.
One important part of Trump’s vision is his approach to the economy. He emphasizes American businesses, jobs, taxes, trade, and regulation. His argument is that excessive regulation and policies that disadvantage American companies can weaken the economy. He favors policies intended to make it easier for American businesses to compete and believes that economic strength contributes directly to national strength.
Trade is another major theme. Trump views international economic competition as an area in which the United States must protect its interests. His arguments concerning China and other trading partners reflect a broader belief that America should negotiate aggressively when he believes American workers or businesses are being treated unfairly. Supporters may view this approach as an example of national self-interest, while critics may question whether aggressive trade policies can create higher costs or international tensions.
The book also connects national strength with security and immigration. Trump argues that secure borders and effective enforcement are essential responsibilities of government. This position reflects his broader belief that a nation must establish clear rules and enforce them consistently. Critics, however, may raise questions about how such policies should balance security, economic needs, humanitarian concerns, and individual rights.
For young Americans, the book raises broader questions about what kind of country they will inherit. Its vision emphasizes competition, self-reliance, economic opportunity, and national confidence. These ideas can be especially relevant when thinking about leadership: success requires preparation, discipline, resilience, and the willingness to make difficult decisions. At the same time, political leadership involves more than winning. Leaders must consider consequences, competing interests, evidence, and the effects of their decisions on people who may disagree with them.
Ultimately, Time to Get Tough presents a particular conception of American leadership and national strength. Understanding that vision does not require every reader to agree with it. A thoughtful reader should identify the book’s strongest arguments, examine its assumptions, consider possible weaknesses, and compare its promises with evidence and alternative perspectives. The most valuable outcome of the assignment is therefore not uniform agreement, but the ability to understand a significant political argument and explain one’s own position clearly and respectfully.
How to Use the Reference Essay
The reference essay is a model for organization and analytical style, not a paper to copy.
Participants should use it to see how to:
Introduce a book’s central argument
Organize an essay around major themes
Explain an author’s position fairly
Present both strengths and criticisms
Connect political ideas to broader questions of leadership
Reach an independent conclusion
Use evidence rather than slogans
Do not copy sentences or submit the reference essay as your own work.
Group Sharing
After completing the reading and essay, each participant should prepare four points:
One argument from the book that deserves serious consideration.
One argument or assumption that deserves questioning.
One point where additional evidence would be useful.
One potential implication for America’s next generation.
Each participant will have approximately 2 minutes to share before the group discussion begins.
Final Reflection — 100 Words
After the discussion, answer:
Did hearing other perspectives change, strengthen, or complicate your understanding of Trump’s vision for America? Explain why.
The goal is thoughtful reading, independent analysis, respectful discussion, and the ability to engage seriously with ideas different from one’s own.