Inauguration Day 2025. We're off to a great start. For several hours on January 20th, Americans were given an image of what a peaceful transition of power should look like. Renewing a tradition that Donald Trump himself broke four years ago, outgoing President Biden welcomed President-elect Trump to the White House and rode with him to the Capitol.
Former presidents and vice presidents, Republicans and Democrats, Supreme Court justices, members of Congress, family members and honored guests gathered in the Rotunda to watch the simple but beautiful ceremony. Once in office, power is transferred from one administration to the next.
Up until that point, the message to the world was loud and clear. “Yes, we Americans have political differences, but today we are united in a common purpose.” One party was defeated last November, but democracy survived. It started as a feel-good moment of hope, patriotism, and unity.
Then Donald Trump took the stage and turned what was supposed to be a hallowed inauguration into another MAGA political rally. On Monday morning, the Wall Street Journal reported: President Trump's 2017 “American Genocide” Speechthis year was bright and positive, calling for national unity. fake news. Instead, Trump delivered perhaps the most divisive inaugural address in history.
Despite not repeating the phrase “American genocide” as he did eight years ago, Trump has once again begun by tearing America apart with a chain of lies and falsehoods. Millions of criminals pouring across borders. That America has lost our respect around the world. That our health care system is broken. That schools are teaching children to hate America. Big cities are plagued by violent crime. FEMA failed to assist North Carolina victims of Hurricane Helen. America is no longer developing fossil fuels. And so on. None of that is true. For example, a quick fact check: According to CNN, we currently produce more oil than any other oil. Another country in world history.
President Trump's speech was mostly about himself. He boasted that everything would change overnight since he returned. His opening words were, “America's golden age begins now.” President Trump indirectly condemned World War II veterans, saying that January 20, 2025 will henceforth be remembered as “Emancipation Day,” and that November 5, 2024 will be the “largest and most consequential” day in history. It will be celebrated as an election. of our country. Not only that, but President Trump also referenced last year's assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, saying, “My life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again.” Ta.”
He then announced a number of executive orders, many of which he signed before the end of the day. withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement; Declare a state of emergency at the border. Redefining Birthright Citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment;freezing federal hiring; and pardoned more than 1,500 people charged in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, including those convicted of assaulting police officers and destroying federal property. President Trump calls these people “patriots.”
After the speech, many commentators praised the speech as “everything President Trump's MAGA supporters wanted to hear.” That's true and that was the problem. This was not the time for President Trump to further rally his supporters. This was his time to reach out and unify the country. He was completely unable to do so. Trump 2.0 is off to an ominous start.
Bill Press said,bill press pod” He is the author of “.From left: Life in the crossfire.” Follow him on X @BillPressPod and in blue sky @BillPress.bsky.social.
