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President Donald Trump used his second inaugural address on Monday to illustrate a grim picture of the country he leads. He then heightened the rhetoric by addressing his base with a speech he claimed his advisors had cautioned against: a lengthy tirade filled with grievances, theatrical gestures, and self-praise.
“I think this speech was better than the one I just gave upstairs,” Trump commented as he neared the end of his remarks. “I really gave you the A-plus treatment.”
Within just an hour of beginning his second term, Trump reiterated his claims about winning the 2016 election, denied the events of January 6, 2021, and took jabs at political rivals, including Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Liz Cheney, and Adam Kinzinger, whom he derisively called “a super-cryer. I’ve never seen him without tears.”
While the familiar dynamics of Trump’s Washington have returned, it does not suggest a gentler approach. In fact, all signs point to a more aggressive and confrontational agenda on the horizon.
When Trump first stepped into Washington eight years ago, he shocked the political establishment with a speech now infamously referred to as “American Carnage.” His latest address mirrored that same furious, bleak sentiment, but lacked the polish some had hoped would indicate a less toxic second term. The harsh tone clearly suggested that Trump’s second term would move forward without significant checks.
“From this moment forward, America’s decline is over,” Trump proclaimed in the scripted segment of his speech while his predecessor looked on.
Nevertheless, Trump noted that Vice President J.D. Vance and First Lady Melania Trump convinced him to tone down the main address. Yet, after taking the oath of office and watching President Joe Biden depart the Capitol for his final flight on Marine One, Trump proceeded to the Capitol Visitors Center to deliver an unfiltered version that resembled the disjointed performance he had showcased the previous night in a sports arena.
“They told me, ‘Please don’t bring that up right now. You can discuss it tomorrow.’ I said, ‘How about now?’” Trump remarked during his rehash of the inaugural address, alluding to possible pardons for those who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
This conclusion was symbolic of a campaign season characterized by four indictments, one conviction, and two assassination attempts.
The excitement surrounding Trump is escalating rapidly. Recent coordinated comments from those close to him have signaled that any semblance of normalcy is unlikely following Monday’s noon hour.
“Goodbye, Joe Biden. Goodbye, Kamala Harris. Goodbye, Democrats. And welcome to America’s golden age,” proclaimed Trump’s deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller during a campaign rally the night before.
Read More: ‘He’s at the Apex of Power Now’: A Preview of Trump’s Second Term
At another point during the event, former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly criticized celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Meryl Streep, and Oprah Winfrey.
“In America, we are entitled to free speech; we have the right to offend, provoke, annoy, and advocate for our beliefs, even when they’re controversial,” she asserted. “We should not be obligated to adopt the terminology you impose on us, such as your preferred pronouns or phrases like anti-racist or chest-beating.”
This aggressive stance was evident throughout all the events welcoming Trump back. As crowds gathered in Washington, it became clear that much of this energized political movement was poised to seize its moment of authority. This combative spirit could disrupt Washington in unpredictable ways.
Trump returned to office promising to lower taxes, combat inflation, decrease prices, raise wages, and revitalize domestic manufacturing. On the global stage, he pledged to end the war in Ukraine, stabilize the Middle East, and adopt a more assertive stance towards China. Although he has since walked back some of these commitments, they were enough to galvanize voter support over Kamala Harris, who sat in the front row on Monday, observing her rival claim the prize she had sought while he vowed to plant a U.S. flag on Mars.
“This is what victory feels like,” declared Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, at a rally following the formal transfer of power on Monday afternoon. “I’m incredibly excited about what’s next.”
The promises of retribution were also prominent, especially for former health czar Anthony Fauci, who received a preemptive pardon from Biden in his last hours in office.
“I’ve never met anyone in prison who committed offenses as severe as those individuals,” remarked former Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro, referencing Fauci and others. “It’s time for some accountability, perhaps.”
This assertive rhetoric came directly from Trump, who energized both himself and his supporters. “Here I am. The American people have made their choice,” Trump stated in the Capitol Rotunda on Monday.
Now, all eyes are on America as people eagerly anticipate how this will all unfold.
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