Donald Trump‘s inauguration ceremony takes place at the US Capitol building in Washington, DC, today – with the soon-to-be US president eagerly poised to take control of the world’s most powerful nation once again.
Love him or loathe him, there’s no denying this force of nature has an uncanny knack for energising his fanbase like few others in modern politics. He knows how to speak directly to people, cutting through the political jargon to connect with the working class, often voicing frustrations many Americans feel – but don’t always hear – in Washington.
But Trump has a far from unblemished past, facing a series of criminal investigations and legal challenges, with some resulting in convictions. He has faced multiple accusations of sexual assault and misconduct over the years, with at least 26 women publicly alleging inappropriate behaviour ranging from unwanted advances to assault. He has denied all allegations.
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Trump’s first stint as president was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. From the moment he announced his candidacy in 2015, he turned the political world upside down, with his unorthodox style, blunt rhetoric, and outsider persona.
Trump confounded expectations with his shocking victory in 2016, which set the stage for one of the most unconventional presidencies in modern American history. A businessman and reality TV star, he made for a wholly atypical president and was instantly polarising.
His policies, particularly on immigration, trade, and deregulation, sparked fierce debates. He built the infamous border wall (or at least tried to) and controversially pulled out of the Paris Climate Agreement. He also made significant tax cuts, mostly benefiting corporations and the wealthy, which his supporters hailed as a much-needed boost to the economy. But the cuts proved controversial, especially when they didn’t seem to deliver on promises of prosperity.
One of the defining features of his first presidency was the constant drama – he was always in the news, whether it was for his use of Twitter (now X) – where he’d often bypass traditional media to speak directly to his supporters – or for his tense relationships with political opponents and the press. Despite his administration often being marked by chaos, with high turnover in key positions and numerous investigations, Trump’s rabid fanbase loved him for his combative stance and unfiltered approach, which often felt like a breath of fresh air to those tired of the status quo.
And who can forget the 2020 election – which Trump and his allies would later claim was ‘stolen’ – sparking months of controversy, culminating in the January 6 Capitol riot?
Trump’s first term was a period of extreme highs and lows, leaving the US even more at loggerheads and uncertain about the future – but what will his second term bring?
Political analysts say it’s likely to be a continuation of many of the themes and policies that defined his initial presidency, with his loyal fanbase expecting him to go even further to Make America Great Again.
There will doubtless be more battles over immigration, trade, and deregulation, with Trump pushing even harder to secure the southern border and likely doubling down on his ‘America First’ foreign policy.
Whether or not he can fully deliver on building a border wall or enacting more tax cuts, there will likely be a renewed push to undo any remaining policies from the Biden administration, particularly in areas such as climate change, healthcare, and labour rights.
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