No person ever accused Donald Trump of consistency. Shortly after being sworn in, he promised to convey peace to the world, reoccupy the Panama Canal and increase America’s territory. The latter sounded very very like a declaration of conflict — a primary within the historical past of US inaugural addresses. The trick, as ever with Trump, is to determine what he means from the merely rhetorical.
His imagery of a brand new golden age was very completely different to 2017 when he spoke of “American carnage”. However his speech this time spherical carried much more particular actions, together with territorial aggression on America’s neighbours, US troops on the Mexican border, the beginning of mass deportations of unlawful immigrants, an finish to electrical car subsidies and a brand new age of “drill child, drill”. These ought to be taken significantly.
The vibes within the Capitol Rotunda additionally spoke volumes. It could be an understatement to say Trump’s second inauguration was unprecedented. Surrounded by the world’s richest males, with north of a trillion {dollars} of wealth within the room, topped by Elon Musk ($434bn), Jeff Bezos ($240bn) and Mark Zuckerberg ($212bn), Trump’s return was blessed by what outgoing president Joe Biden referred to as the brand new oligarchy.
By no means earlier than has such wealth rubbed inaugural shoulders with a president who can also be a billionaire.
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