Grant Suneson
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LEARN MOREPosted: 6:27 p.m. EST Dec 28, 2016
Donald Trump is reportedly turning to past presidents for inspiration on what to do with his own inaugural address coming up in January.
A Washington Post report said Trump plans to lean on the speaking styles of John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan for his first address as commander in chief.
Trump's surrogates have been quick to compare him to Reagan, the prototypical conservative president.
"I think that it will be very powerful and very impressive. ... Maybe Reagan at his peak," former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said of Donald Trump's Republican National Convention speech.
"The whole economic program is a very comprehensive one. It's one that works. It's one that's proven. It's basically what Kennedy did; it's basically what Reagan did," former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said about one of Donald Trump's economic policy speeches.
But Trump apparently had lots of nice things to say about the Democrat Kennedy, as well.
Trump reportedly discussed his inaugural address with guests at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. One source said, "He spoke about Kennedy and how he was able to get the country motivated, to go to the moon."
Presidential historian Douglas Brinkley, who was present at the event, confirmed Trump did have lots of nice things to say about the two former presidents but declined to discuss his inaugural speech plans specifically.
Trump's campaign speech writer Stephen Miller is working on Trump's first address. It's unclear how Miller's more ominous tone will line up with Reagan's famous "shining city upon a hill" optimism.
Trump's inauguration is scheduled for Jan. 20.
