President-elect Donald Trump made all kinds of headlines on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, when he won the 2016 presidential election. But he made a bit of relatively unnoticed history, too.
In addition to turning polls on their heads, Trump became the first newly elected president to not end his victory speech with “God bless America” or “God bless the United States” since Ronald Reagan in 1984.
Reagan did end that speech by saying “God bless you.” But in 1980, he simply said, “Thanks very much.”
“Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you to Mike Pence. Thank you.”
Barack Obama, 2012
“We live in the greatest nation on Earth. Thank you America. God bless you. God bless these United States.”
Barack Obama, 2008
“Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.”
George W. Bush, 2004
“I am eager for the work ahead. God bless you, and may God bless America.”
George W. Bush, 2000
“The presidency is more than an honor, it is more than an office. It is a charge to keep, and I will give it my all. Thank you very much, and God bless America.”
Bill Clinton, 1996
“I am more grateful than I can say. You have given me an opportunity and a responsibility that comes to few people. I will do my best. And together we will, we will build that bridge to the 21st century. Thank you, goodnight and God bless America.”
Bill Clinton, 1992
“Together we can do it. Together we can make the country that we live in everything it was meant to be. I still believe in a place called hope. God bless America. Thank you all.”
George H.W. Bush, 1988
“Thank you New Hampshire. Thanks for everything, and God bless America. Thank you all very much. Thank you. Thank you all.”
Ronald Reagan, 1984
U.S. President Ronald Reagan gestures while talking to Republican women office-holders during a luncheon in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington on Jan. 14, 1984.
“And, you know, you’ll forgive me, I’m going to do it just one more time: You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. God bless you. Thank you all very much. Thank you.”
Ronald Reagan, 1980
Ronald Reagan in Bakersfield, California in 1980.
“Thank you to back there in the home town. Thank you all.”
