A New ‘Golden Age’?: How Trump Weaponised History in His Inaugural Address
Trump giving a speech at his second inauguration.
By Amy Gaisford, Second Year History
The world watched this week as Donald J. Trump took the stage for his second inauguration. A ceremony forced inside by cold weather and steeped in American ‘tradition’, captivated audiences around the globe, drawing focus to what America defines itself as. A country of grandeur, an imposing military power, and most importantly a nation unified by its historical memory. The use of history within political discourse is not a new phenomenon, and one can certainly see this within our own British political sphere. However, Trump’s use of historical narratives is particularly illuminating, actively projecting a destructive past onto his key policies for the future. By unpicking his use of historical memory, we can better understand the harmful ramifications of his presidency, and what this may mean for the future.
“I was saved by God to make America great again.”
We’re all too familiar with Trump’s infamous tagline, ‘Make America Great Again’ (MAGA), but how does this slogan reflect his connection to historical memory? Throughout both of his electoral campaigns, Trump has wielded MAGA to position himself as a maker of change, and most importantly, history. His awareness of crafting a legacy for the future ‘history books’ undoubtedly has driven both his actions, and his rhetoric. Case in point is his invocation of Martin Luther King Jr’s memory during his inaugural address. His transparent, and arguably offensive, attempt to align himself with King’s character highlights his desperation to become a hero of the historical narrative, stating that “We will make his dream come true”.
The MAGA slogan itself alludes to a return to ‘greater’ and grander times, dating back to its original use in Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign in the 1980s. At its core, it idealises the 1950s, a time of social conservatism, rigid nuclear family structures and domestic culture. Unsurprisingly, these ideas are reflected in Trump’s policies, in particular when discussing freedom of gender, women’s rights and ideas of race and gender in educational discourse.
"The golden age of America begins right now."
Trump further manages to hark back to a slightly earlier period of American history, particularly with his idea for a new ‘golden age’, akin to the ‘gilded age’ of the 19th century. Was this choice of vocabulary intentional? If so, can it be seen as a clear evocation of ‘gilded’ values? The similarities are all too clear, with Trump’s vision of an innovative, industrial America aligning with the rapid reconstructive nature of the gilded era. His emphasising the ‘factory workers, steel workers, and coal miners’ further highlight this nostalgia for this industrious and ‘progressive’ time, conveniently forgetting its social oppressions. A strange dichotomy can be found here, with Trump craving both antiquated values and modernisation, becoming almost impossible to predict how this delicate balance will play out.
“And we will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars…”
Building on these earlier ideas of American exceptionalism is Trump’s use of the term ‘manifest destiny’. Manifest destiny dates back to when white settlers began to push west across North America, believing themselves to be the ‘harbingers’ of modernity, as God has willed it. The erasure of indigenous lands, culture and rights that accompanied this push was steeped in imperial intent, destroying and industrialising natural landscapes in the process. Trump’s intentional evocation of manifest destiny therefore can be seen as a yearning for an imperial past, displayed in his key aims to seize control of the Panama Canal, rename the Gulf of Mexico in America’s name, and colonise Greenland. Dr Abelardo Rodriguez confirms the danger of Trump’s nostalgic rhetoric, underscoring its ability to further marginalise vulnerable minorities in the U.S. Whether or not Trump will achieve his goals whilst in office remains to be seen, but this nostalgia for a destructive past he has projected onto the nation will likely define his presidency.
“…launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars.”
This image of planting the American flag on a new planet seems, relatively, technologically farfetched. But even so, the symbolism behind this policy is unsettling. This Kennedy style proclamation of US Space superiority echoes American historical memory, transporting us back to the Cold War era. A time of ideological clashes, tense international relations, and fierce military and space races. Trump is framing space exploration as yet another tool for global domination, mirroring his imperialist vision for a new ‘golden age’ previously discussed. This understanding can further broaden our expectations for the future, with the potential for an intensifying of geopolitical rivalries.
“We stand on the verge of the four greatest years in American history.”
This yearning and desire for a so-called ‘golden age’ has the electorate gripped, allowing Trump to weaponise historical narratives to justify his bold policies, and craft his legacy as an architect of the future. Regardless of whether he achieves his key objectives throughout his term, this nostalgia driven rhetoric will undoubtedly fuel a culture of destruction and exclusion. A culture that has begun to, and will continue to alienate minorities, indigenous peoples, and women. Trump’s vision for a new ‘golden age’ is far from being based in a progressive historical reality, risking a further degradation in social freedoms.
Edited by Charlotte Emanuel