Joe HonickJoe Honick
Within days of each other, two separate but widely impacting events occurred that riveted the emotional attention of the world: the horror in Orlando, Florida’s Pulse nightclub that left 50 dead and the United Kingdom’s separation from a long and mutually productive membership in the European Union.

There can be no argument that each of these events will have long-lasting effects on concerned citizens of the world, though obviously in vastly different ways. It’s also very clear that the response to these events from Presumptive Republican Party Nominee Donald Trump differed from statements made by mature leaders elsewhere.

Following the Pulse tragedy, world leaders expressed the very human combination of sadness and revulsion toward what had happened. One of the most powerful responses came from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu, a man often accused of insensitivity. His remarks were heard, viewed and praised by millions around the world.

Netanyahu’s words accounted for a reaction of a real human being not interested in making political hay other than committing himself and others stricken by the events to express care, concern and sadness for the victims. His second expression that impacted millions around the world was the commitment that terrorism would be dealt with, so that people of all races, religions, ethnicity and genders would know they are protected.

Donald Trump, in a style that has become his brand, almost instantaneously responded with political comments that basically accounted for “see, I told you so” regarding those radical Islam folks. The difference between his remarks and Netanyahu’s could not be more stark.

Then, within days, and following some of the most divisive campaigning to affect the entire British commonwealth, came the Brexit vote. On the positive side, those in the conspicuously divided nation voting to leave the EU, despite demonstrations leading up to the ultimate vote that stunned much of the world, made that determination through the truest means of democratic expression: by voting.

Once again, mature, intelligent, respected leaders around the world spoke to the decision mostly in solemn tones and terms, wrestling with what could be the broader impact of the concluding decision. Trump, however, could only respond to this historic and far-reaching action of a free people with another “see, I told you what Obama did wrong again!” Trump’s comments were less statesman like even than those schoolyard terms and lacked any sense of the larger economic implications of what those events will mean to the world.

To be sure, in times like these, there’s an expectation that those seeking positions of national and world leadership would show they are human beings first in order to demonstrate their capacity to deal with human needs. Trump failed that test. Apparently exhibiting emotion threatens his capacity to demonstrate the “art of the deal” he so often promotes.

To be a real leader, someone must first be a Mensch, defined in Yiddish as a person of honor, passion, integrity and sensitivity to others regardless of their station, ethnicity, gender or politics.

Trump has much to learn before stepping up to be a Mensch.

Joseph J. Honick is president of GMA International in Bainbridge Island, Wash.