WASHINGTON – As a child, George Cleveland was reminded of his grandfather’s significance every time he looked at the portrait hanging in his family’s living room in Baltimore.

Though he never had the chance to meet his grandfather, who passed away nearly fifty years before George was born, the fact that he held the office of President of the United States filled in the gaps of history for him. Additionally, his grandfather’s unique place in presidential lore has made him a staple in trivia games like Jeopardy!.

(A: The only U.S. president to serve non-consecutive terms. Q: Who is Grover Cleveland?)

George Cleveland, a self-employed consultant residing in rural Tamworth, New Hampshire, is indeed the grandson of Grover Cleveland. Yes, that Grover Cleveland — the only U.S. president to leave office and later return four years after losing an election. His second term concluded long ago, in 1897.

Grover Cleveland was in office during a time when the automobile and telephone were emerging technologies, making George Cleveland, as his living descendant, somewhat of an oddity.

“It’s a little strange, but it’s enjoyable and provides a unique viewpoint on history,” Cleveland shared.

However, starting next week, it seems that history — and those Jeopardy! answers — will change.

Donald Trump, who lost the presidency to Joe Biden four years ago, is set to return to the White House on Monday, making his mark as the second U.S. president to serve non-consecutive terms alongside Grover Cleveland.

‘At some point, someone will surpass it’

Many have asked George Cleveland if he feels perturbed by Trump potentially overshadowing his grandfather’s place in the history books.

He isn’t.

“It’s just like any record,” he noted. “Eventually, it’s going to be broken.”

What are his thoughts on Trump? “I have none,” he stated firmly.

Did he vote for Trump? “They have curtains and booths for a reason,” he responded, demonstrating his knack for diplomacy.

Ultimately, he admitted, “I don’t think I checked his name.”

Throughout most of his life, George Cleveland’s family didn’t emphasize their connection to their famous ancestor. As a young boy, now 72, George often viewed his grandfather as a near-mythical person – someone referenced in stories and books, but not someone who felt tangible.

However, he was real.

George’s father, Richard Cleveland, was the fourth of Grover Cleveland’s five children with his wife, Frances Folsom. Grover was notably late in starting a family; he was a bachelor when he assumed the presidency and was 49 when he married Frances in the Blue Room at the White House. By the time Richard was born, Grover was already 60 and had completed his second term in office in 1897. Richard had George when he was 54.

By the time he was 9 or 10, George began to grasp the significance of the large man with the bushy mustache in the living room portrait, which now resides at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. This was the same man whose likeness appears on the $1,000 bill (though he jokingly admits to not having many of those).

His father once took him to a birthday tribute at his grandfather’s grave in Princeton, New Jersey. Young George was captivated by the ceremonial aspects of the event, including uniformed soldiers saluting with their long rifles.

“That was incredibly impressive to me,” he recalled. “I started to realize there was something monumental about him.”

Together with his older sister, Frances Cleveland, who now lives in France, George gleaned insights into his grandfather’s time in office through various family heirlooms, such as the prominent portrait and some old black-and-white photographs.

One image captured a Christmas tree adorned with tinsel in the Oval Office, under which lay several dolls that today would be considered rather unsettling, entertaining George to this day.

In the ‘90s, he decided to further explore his grandfather’s history, leading him to perform historical interpretations and character portrayals — often dressed in period-specific costumes — of Grover Cleveland and others from that era.

Trump vs. Cleveland: ‘Night and day’ contrasts

As Trump re-enters the White House, some might naturally seek similarities between him and Grover Cleveland. However, George Cleveland only perceives differences — “probably night and day,” he explained.

“Grover was incredibly dedicated and worked excessively hard,” he emphasized.

Grover Cleveland (the 22^nd and 24^th president) identified as a fiscally conservative Democrat. If he were around today, “he’d likely lean towards libertarian views,” George speculated. “That doesn’t seem to reflect Trump’s approach.”

While Trump, who came from a high-powered business background before assuming the presidency, tends to surround himself with loyal supporters in his Cabinet, “Grover was strongly against any form of patronage,” George pointed out. “He always aimed for the most qualified candidates, which upset many in Congress and contributed to his defeat in 1888.”

Unlike Trump, who delegates responsibility and avoids details, Grover Cleveland engaged directly in difficult tasks. For instance, while serving as the sheriff of Erie County, New York, he personally executed the hanging of two individuals instead of passing the grim task to a deputy.

“He believed that subordinates shouldn’t carry out unpleasant duties,” George explained. “He took full responsibility.”

In contrast to Trump, who often refuses to acknowledge his mistakes or losses, George noted that Grover Cleveland “was capable of admitting when he made an error.”

‘A celebration of democracy’

Grover Cleveland’s legacy isn’t without blemishes.

During his initial term, he signed a law that expanded the Chinese Exclusion Act, which barred returning Chinese immigrants from re-entering the United States.

George Cleveland described this law as “one of the most dreadful things we’ve done” and noted that it clashed with Grover’s views on Hawaii, which had experienced a coup led by American business interests shortly before he assumed office.

Upon taking office, Grover Cleveland opposed the annexation of Hawaii and wanted to reinstate the overthrown monarchy, which he believed had been unjustly removed.

“I’d like to think that, had Grover lived longer, he might have reconsidered his stance on the Chinese Exclusion Law,” George said.

As Trump prepares to take the oath of office on Monday, George Cleveland will be watching from home — provided his internet connection holds up in rural New Hampshire. He has attended two presidential inaugurations in person: Bill Clinton’s first in 1993 and Barack Obama’s inaugural in 2009, which he described as “one of the most awe-inspiring moments of my life.”

“These events hold great significance,” he commented. “They represent a celebratory demonstration of democracy. At least that’s how it has been.”

Although Trump’s return to the presidency means Grover Cleveland will no longer hold the title of the only president to lose the office and later reclaim it, his historical standing remains intact.

“Grover is still the first,” his grandson stated.

And he remains on the $1,000 bill.

Michael Collins covers the White House. Follow him on X @mcollinsNEWS.