Eight years ago, Donald Trump gave an inaugural address that deviated from the usual themes of hope and unity, presenting instead a darker view of American life. His speech infused the phrases “American Carnage” and “America First” into political discourse and laid the groundwork for his governance in both his first and possibly his upcoming second term. As we anticipate his new address, reflecting on his initial comments highlights their ongoing significance.
Trump emphasized the plight of those who felt neglected by the political establishment. He asserted, “Politicians prospered — but the jobs left, and the factories closed. The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories; their triumphs have not been your triumphs; and while they celebrated in our nation’s capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land. … The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer.” Over the years, his frustration appears to have intensified, even though he has surrounded himself with wealthy individuals throughout his administration. During his first term, he enacted a significant tax reform that primarily benefitted large corporations and the affluent. As he looks towards 2024, he has also introduced new promises aimed at working-class voters grappling with inflation, notably vowing to exclude tipped income and Social Security from taxation.
In his inaugural speech, Trump acknowledged national unity while also validating his supporters, despite having lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton. He has since claimed that his subsequent victory in 2024 — although narrow — was a mandate or even a “landslide.” Trump’s line, “This American carnage stops right here and stops right now,” succinctly encapsulated his address, where he painted a picture of a declining nation, contrasting it with the optimistic narratives typically presented by presidents. He described issues such as “Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities; rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation; an education system, flush with cash, but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of knowledge; and the crime and gangs and drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential.” Drawing from his earlier campaign rhetoric of viewing America as a “failing nation,” he set the tone for how he would approach political expectations, reminiscent of past leaders like Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, who also addressed their times of economic strife.
Trump’s second key motto, “From this moment on, it’s going to be America First,” underlines his vision hoping for a resurgence in U.S. manufacturing. However, the manufacturing sector saw significant growth under President Joe Biden, especially in computer chip production. Trump has indicated plans for imposing higher tariffs as he returns to office. His specific promise to revamp American infrastructure — roads, highways, bridges, airports, and railways — is one that he could not fully realize during his first term, as Congress, along with Biden, managed to pass a substantial infrastructure initiative. Following this, Biden’s administration introduced the Inflation Reduction Act, which Trump heavily criticized and that some of his Republican peers are eyeing for repeal.
While lacking in foreign policy detail, Trump’s first address featured a statement suggesting a non-intrusive stance, claiming, “We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but rather to let it shine as an example for everyone to follow.” Fast forward to 2025, and his tone seems to have transformed into a more aggressively imperialistic approach. After winning in November, he has made controversial comments suggesting that the United States should take control of the Panama Canal and has floated the idea of annexing Canada and Greenland.
