In close proximity, not even 24 hours apart, I watched President Obama’s farewell address and Donald Trump’s first press conference as president-elect. The contrast between the two men could not have been greater.

One showed us maturity and grace. The other showed us adolescent impulsiveness and petulance. Perhaps this was what some Trump supporters were hoping for, but Trump’s performance showed no growth in the man who is about to enter the Oval Office, no decency toward anyone who disagrees with him. In fact, he continued to display vitriol toward anyone who opposed him in the past.

As Obama passes out of office next week, I’m afraid we will have seen the last dignified president of the United States. And if reports of Russia’s involvement in the election and leverage over Trump prove true, perhaps we are witnessing the first real-life Manchurian candidate.

Jeffrey Green

Somerville