Donald Trump is frequently regarded as a significant historical figure, especially after achieving a non-consecutive second term as president—an extraordinary feat that places him in the same category as Grover Cleveland, who holds the distinction of having served as both the 22nd and 24th president of the United States.

For over a century, Grover Cleveland stood alone as the sole U.S. president to have two non-consecutive terms. He was the first Democrat to occupy the White House following the Civil War. However, with Trump’s recent electoral success, that unique status is poised to change. George Cleveland, Grover’s grandson, offers a unique perspective on this turn of events. Born in 1952, George never got to meet his illustrious grandfather, who served in office during the late 19th century and had children later in life.

In an engaging conversation with TIME, the 72-year-old Cleveland discussed Grover’s distinctive presidency and shared his thoughts on the comparisons being drawn between Trump and his grandfather.

Read more: Donald Trump, Grover Cleveland, and the History of Winning Back the White House

TIME: With Trump’s recent win, your grandfather Grover Cleveland is getting attention again. What does that mean for you as his descendant?

CLEVELAND: It’s definitely been on my mind. I never imagined we would find ourselves in this situation. It’s a bit sad to see that the trivia question “Who is the only U.S. president to serve non-consecutive terms?” is no longer exclusively about Grover. While that may have changed, he will always be the first.

That’s certainly his most notable claim to fame. Are there other aspects of his legacy that deserve more recognition?

Well, not many people carry $1,000 bills, but he’s featured on one! Beyond that, Grover was a rather reserved leader who focused on the pressing issues of his time. Unlike Theodore Roosevelt, who had a sweeping ideological vision, Cleveland was more pragmatic, addressing specific challenges like the monetary system. He strongly opposed the patronage system, which likely played a role in his defeat in the 1888 election.

It’s rare for presidents to aim for reelection after being ousted from office. There seems to be a shared defiance between Trump and Grover Cleveland.

The motivations may not align perfectly, though. Grover had specific objectives he wanted to achieve, whereas I’m not entirely sure that applies to Donald Trump. It’s a delicate balance to express this without sounding overly critical of him [laughs].

You seem to have some reservations regarding Trump.

That would be a fair interpretation.

What are your thoughts on Grover Cleveland being associated with Trump?

I’ve gotten used to it over time, but initially, I felt a bit queasy every time I heard the comparison. It is what it is. Whether I agree or disagree, Trump won both the popular and Electoral votes.

Read more: These Presidents Won the Electoral College — But Not the Popular Vote

How have the last six months been for you, especially as it became evident that Trump might actually succeed and Grover’s name was being brought up?

To be honest, I haven’t been overly thrilled. I’m just an ordinary person. Those of us related to past presidents need to realize that their actions will always be evaluated through today’s lens, often both justly and unjustly.

There’s an organization called the Society of Presidential Descendants. We have an unspoken agreement not to criticize other presidents. Every one of them was elected, and while some may have excelled, others may not have performed as well.

That sounds like a fascinating group. Do you hold meetings?

Absolutely! We don’t have a secret handshake yet, but I’ve been pushing for one. I often joke that we meet to review all the UFO documents we’re supposedly privy to.

Are you serious about that?

[laughs] Not really. The topic has come up occasionally, but I’m mostly joking.

Do you have any theories about who was behind JFK’s assassination?

[laughs] I do, but I can’t share that information. Interestingly, the first mention of a UFO sighting was attributed to Thomas Jefferson regarding something observed in the skies over Louisiana.

It’s remarkable to think that Grover Cleveland was president in the late 19th century, and now his grandson is here today.

Indeed, I believe only three living grandchildren of 19th-century presidents remain: my sister Frances, myself, and surprisingly, John Tyler’s grandson, Harrison, who is still alive. I never had the chance to meet Harrison, but I did meet his brother, Lyon, who was a great guy.

Do you think Trump knows who Grover Cleveland was?

He might be aware now. He had to walk past Grover’s portrait in the White House. If he’s anything like many others who confuse Cleveland with Taft due to their similar physiques, who knows? [laughs]

What do you consider to be Grover Cleveland’s most significant achievement?

He accomplished many smaller yet impactful things. For instance, he pushed for a significant investment in the U.S. Navy, which became crucial during World War I. Our naval fleet was far more advanced than many others at that time.

However, there are also less laudable aspects of Cleveland’s presidency, such as his support for the expansion of the Chinese Exclusion Act—

Exactly, you hit the nail on the head. I was reading about immigration policies and came across the Chinese Exclusion Act, thinking, “This is appalling!” It would have been nice if my ancestor had been more inclusive and progressive in that area, but he unfortunately was not.

Grover Cleveland was single when he took office and got married while serving, correct?

Yes, that’s accurate. During the first two years of his presidency, his sister, Rose Cleveland, acted as the White House hostess. Interestingly, she is recognized as the first LGBTQ+ individual to take on that informal role.

Are you concerned about the current direction of our country?

Yes, I find the concept of Project 2025 rather unsettling. However, as I said, this is what we’ve chosen, or at least half the nation has. Just like Grover Cleveland experienced after his first term, voters have the power to make changes if they are dissatisfied. Of course, Trump can’t come back for a third term, as that’s not allowed.

But he might attempt to.

Oh, undoubtedly! He may even decide to stay longer than expected!

One positive aspect about Grover Cleveland is that he accepted the results of the 1888 election and left office with grace.

Exactly—and he did so with a sense of dignity. I don’t believe there was any foul play involved. If there was, I haven’t unearthed it yet; it must be hidden among all those UFO files.