Donald Trump is frequently mentioned as a historically significant figure, especially following his recent victory in securing a non-consecutive second term. This achievement places him alongside Grover Cleveland, who notably served as both the 22nd and 24th president of the United States.
For more than a century, Cleveland was recognized as the only U.S. president to serve non-consecutive terms, making him a unique figure in American history after the Civil War as the first Democrat to hold the presidency in that era. With Trump’s recent win, this distinction is set to evolve. George Cleveland, Grover’s grandson, offers an interesting perspective on this shift. Born in 1952, George never had the opportunity to meet his iconic grandfather, who served in the late 19th century and fathered children later in life.
In a discussion with TIME, 72-year-old Cleveland shared his thoughts on Grover’s unique presidency and weighed in on the comparisons being drawn between Trump and his grandfather.
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TIME: With Trump’s recent victory, your grandfather Grover Cleveland is back in the limelight. What are your thoughts as his descendant?
CLEVELAND: It’s certainly been on my mind. I never thought we would reach this point. It’s a bit unfortunate that the trivia question, “Who is the only president to serve non-consecutive terms?” was a popular one associated with Grover. Now, that will change, but he will always be the first.
That is indeed his most notable distinction. Are there other aspects of his legacy that you feel deserve more recognition?
Well, not many people carry $1,000 bills, but he’s featured on one! Beyond that, Grover was quite a reserved president. He concentrated on the tasks at hand, dealing with issues as they arose. Unlike Theodore Roosevelt, who had a broad ideological outlook, Cleveland addressed specific challenges, such as reforming the monetary system. His strong opposition to the patronage system likely contributed to his loss in the 1888 election.
It’s rare for presidents to pursue reelection after being defeated. There seems to be a shared spirit of defiance between Trump and Grover Cleveland.
Their motivations may differ, though. Grover had specific objectives he wished to achieve, while I’m not certain that’s the case with Donald Trump. It’s a challenge for me to express this without coming across as overly critical of him [laughs].
You seem to have some reservations about Trump.
That’s a fair interpretation.
What are your thoughts on Grover Cleveland being mentioned in the context of Trump?
I’ve gotten used to it, but at first, I found myself reaching for antacids every time I heard those comparisons. It’s simply the reality. Regardless of my feelings or anyone else’s, Trump has won both the popular and Electoral votes.
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What have the last six months been like for you, especially as it became clear that Trump might prevail and Grover’s name was being mentioned more frequently?
Honestly, I didn’t feel overly enthusiastic. I’m just an ordinary person. Those of us with presidential lineage must accept that our ancestors’ actions will be evaluated through a contemporary lens, which can be both fair and unfair.
There’s a group known as the Society of Presidential Descendants. We have an unspoken agreement not to criticize other presidents. Each has been duly elected, and while some may shine more brightly than others, they all deserve respect.
That sounds like a fascinating organization. Do you hold any meetings?
Absolutely! We don’t have a secret handshake yet, but I’ve been advocating for one. I jokingly tell others that we meet to discuss all the UFO documents we’re supposedly privy to.
Are you serious?
[laughs] Not really. It does come up from time to time, I’ll admit.
Do you have any insights into the individuals responsible for JFK’s assassination?
[laughs] I do, but I can’t share that information. Interestingly, the first mention of a UFO sighting dates back to Thomas Jefferson, who reported something unusual in the skies over Louisiana.
It’s astonishing to think that Grover Cleveland was president in the late 1800s and now his grandson is living today.
I believe only three living grandchildren of 19th-century presidents remain: my sister Frances, myself, and remarkably, John Tyler’s grandson, Harrison, who is still alive. I never met Harrison, but I did know his brother, Lyon, who was a wonderful person.
Do you think Trump is aware of who Grover Cleveland was?
He might be now. After all, he had to walk past Grover’s portrait in the White House. If he’s anything like many others who mix up Cleveland with Taft—since they were both rather stout—who knows? [laughs]
What do you consider to be Grover Cleveland’s greatest achievement?
He accomplished many smaller yet significant tasks. For example, he advocated for a major investment in the U.S. Navy, which proved invaluable during World War I. Our naval fleet was much more advanced than that of many other countries at the time.
However, there are also less commendable aspects of Cleveland’s presidency, like his expansion of the Chinese Exclusion Act—
Exactly, you’ve hit the nail on the head. I was reading about immigration policies and came across the Chinese Exclusion Act and thought, “This is truly appalling!” It would have been great if my ancestor had been more accepting and progressive in that respect, but he wasn’t.
Grover Cleveland entered office as a bachelor and married during his presidency, correct?
Yes, that’s accurate. During the first two years of his administration, his sister, Rose Cleveland, acted as the White House hostess. Interestingly, she is often recognized as the first LGBTQ+ person to hold that informal role.
Are you concerned about the direction our country is heading?
Yes, I find the concept of Project 2025 quite unsettling. However, as I mentioned, this is the choice we’ve made, or at least half of the country has. Just like past presidents such as Grover Cleveland after his first term, if people are dissatisfied, they have the power to vote someone out. Of course, Trump can’t come back for a third term, as that’s against the rules.
But he might attempt to.
Oh, without a doubt! He might decide to stick around indefinitely!
One positive aspect of Grover Cleveland is that he accepted the outcome of the 1888 election and left office with grace.
Exactly—and he did so with dignity. I don’t believe there was any impropriety involved. If there was, I haven’t discovered it yet; it must be hidden away with all those UFO documents.
