The world turned its gaze to America on Monday, 20 January 2025, as Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States at the United States Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C.
This event marked the formal conclusion of the presidential transition that commenced when Trump won the U.S. Presidential Election on 6 November 2024and was subsequently elected president-elect, with J.D. Vance as his Vice President-elect. The Electoral College confirmed this on 17 December 2024.
As Trump assumes the presidency for a second term, both Americans and the international community watch with bated breath to see what will unfold.
In a ceremony steeped in tradition and surrounded by a palpable sense of national renewal, Donald Trump was sworn in for another term as President of the United States. His inaugural address, delivered before an audience that included former presidents, leading business owners and key political figures, painted a vision of America entering its “golden age,” with promises to restore national pride, economic prosperity, and global respect.
Trump began his speech by heralding a new era, “The golden age of America begins right now,” setting the tone for an address that focused on reclaiming American sovereignty and independence. He pledged an administration that would “put America first,” stating, “During every single day of the Trump administration, I will, very simply, put America first.”
Moreover, one of the most emphatic parts of Trump’s speech was his approach to border security.
He announced immediate executive actions aimed at securing the nation’s borders, declaring, “All illegal entry will immediately be halted.” He introduced plans for reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy, ending “catch and release,” and deploying troops to the southern border. Trump also highlighted the need to combat transnational crime, stating, “Under the orders I sign today, we will also be designating the cartels as foreign terrorist organisations.”
On economic policy, Trump promised aggressive measures to combat inflation and energy costs, “We will drill, baby, drill,” he proclaimed, emphasising the exploitation of America’s natural resources to achieve energy independence. He critiqued past policies like the Green New Deal, announcing, “With my actions today, we will end the Green New Deal, and we will revoke the electric vehicle mandate,” aiming to revitalize the auto industry and protect American jobs.
Furthermore, Trump criticised current educational narratives, saying, “We have an education system that teaches our children to be ashamed of themselves,” and pledged to reform it to foster national pride and unity.
He also advocated for a return to what he described as traditional values, stating, “We will forge a society that is colourblind and merit-based.”
In a notable segment of his speech, Trump addressed what he sees as the cultural debate over gender, asserting, “As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: male and female.” This statement reflects his administration’s intention to end what he describes as the “social engineering” of race and gender in public and private life, aiming for a return to what he considers traditional and binary gender roles.
For law enforcement and the military, Trump promised to restore “fair, equal, and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law.”
He announced plans to reinstate service members dismissed for vaccine refusal, “This week, I will reinstate any service members who were unjustly expelled from our military for objecting to the COVID vaccine mandate with full back pay.” His aim is to refocus the military on its core mission, “Our armed forces will be freed to focus on their sole mission: defeating America’s enemies.”
Trump highlighted recent diplomatic achievements, “I’m pleased to say that as of yesterday, one day before I assumed office, the hostages in the Middle East are coming back home to their families.” He also announced symbolic changes like renaming geographical features, “A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America,” and restoring “Mount McKinley,” underscoring his commitment to American identity.
In a nod to future ambitions, Trump spoke of America’s role in space exploration, “We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars.”
Trump concluded with a call for national unity and resilience, “We are one people, one family, and one glorious nation under God.” His speech was not just a pledge of policy but a rallying cry for a unified America, promising to lead with “courage, vigor, and the vitality of history’s greatest civilization.”
The public’s reaction to Trump’s speech was as polarized as the political landscape itself:
- Supporters: Many of Trump’s supporters in attendance and across social media platforms like X expressed jubilation. They celebrated the pledges on border security, economic policy, and cultural issues, with some users specifically cheering Trump’s stance on gender, as seen in posts like, “My favorite take from Trump’s inaugural address was the restoration of biological common sense.”
- Critics: Critics, however, raised concerns about the implications of Trump’s policies. His views on gender were particularly contentious, with many seeing it as an overreach into personal freedoms and an endorsement of exclusionary policies. Critics argued that such statements could undo years of progress in recognizing gender diversity.
- General Public: Beyond the polarized views, the general public’s response ranged from hopeful anticipation for economic and security improvements to skepticism about the feasibility and inclusivity of Trump’s vision. Some chose to ignore the inauguration altogether, focusing instead on how these policies would affect their daily lives and the broader social fabric of the nation.
As the United States navigates this new chapter, the effectiveness of Trump’s vision will be measured not only by economic and security metrics but also by the unity and inclusivity it fosters. The varied reactions from the public reflect a nation at a crossroads, where the challenge lies in reconciling diverse viewpoints into a cohesive national identity.
Most are hopeful that his tenure marks the beginning of a “golden age” with America dusting itself off and rising once again back to the top of the proverbial list. But, as they say, only time will tell.
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