President Donald J. Trump took the oath of office for a historic second term on Monday, delivering an inaugural address that combined sweeping policy declarations, nationalist rhetoric, and cultural stances that signalled a combative approach to governance.
Trump emphatically stated that, “The golden age of America begins right now,” adding, “From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world.”
His address painted a stark picture of a nation in decline, vowing to “rescue” Americans from what he described as “a radical and corrupt establishment.” He asserted that for years, power and wealth had been “extracted” from citizens, leaving the pillars of American society “broken and seemingly in complete disrepair.”
“From this moment on, America’s decline is over,” Trump declared.
Trump’s speech, which at times felt more like a State of the Union address, laid out his administration’s priorities, including an economic overhaul, new border policies, and efforts to roll back diversity programs.
In one of the most striking moments, Trump made history by using his inaugural address to declare, “There are only two genders: male and female.”The statement received a standing ovation from supporters inside the Rotunda, highlighting the culture wars that will remain central to his administration.
He vowed to “stop efforts to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life” and instead “forge a society that is colourblind and merit-based.”
On economic policy, Trump reiterated his push for an “external revenue source” to collect on new tariffs, a proposal that has split congressional Republicans. Some lawmakers see it as a potential way to fund an extension of the 2017 Trump tax cuts, which are set to expire.
Trump also pledged to “bring back free speech to America”and end “government censorship,” a statement that comes amid his ongoing legal battles with media outlets.
Trump used his speech to take credit for the release of Israeli hostages, despite the operation being conducted jointly with the Biden administration. He framed his presidency as one that would restore global respect for America, stating:
“We will measure our success not only by the battles we win, but by the wars we end and, more importantly, the wars we never get into.”
In a move of symbolic nationalism, Trump announced his intention to rename the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America.”
On energy policy, he vowed to boost American oil and gas exports, declaring, “We will be a rich nation again.”
Recognising his gains among Black and Hispanic voters in the election, Trump promised, “I won’t forget that they supported me.” He also paid homage to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthday was being observed nationwide on the same day as the inauguration.
Earlier in the day, an incoming administration official announced that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes would be eliminated under Trump’s leadership.
With a mix of economic pledges, cultural battles, and nationalist rhetoric, Trump’s inaugural address set the stage for a presidency that is poised to spark both fierce support and deep opposition as his administration moves forward.
