The truth remains: he knows his audience well enough to give them exactly what they crave, leveraging their fears and insecurities to secure another victory.
Summoned by the great hands of fate to join the pantheon of leaders before him who used the historically grand occasion of Inaugural Day to assuage hurt feelings and rally the country to a united cause, the old man stayed true to the standard for which he is known.
Right from the start, he was his trademark self, delivering his address in a familiar breathless monotone. Missing from his speech were grace, class, or the sobriety of an after-battle reconciliation, let alone magnanimity in victory. Absent, too, was any acknowledgment of the immense responsibility of leading a vastly diverse society. Instead, he spoke as though he had the unconditional support of all 300 million citizens now under his watch.
As dignitaries listened, some bemused, others numb, and many more excited, he carried on like he was at a campaign rally. His delivery oscillated between banal bombast and casual misrepresentation, leaving observers—particularly those who love America yet are unsettled by his crude demeanor—cringing at the spectacle.
Yet, the truth remains that he knows his audience well enough to give them what they desire. From his perspective, his methods have yielded results, securing him another win. Therefore, it is no surprise that he intends to double down on his combative style, continuing as a pugnacious braggart with no intent of changing course.
Hence his opening proclamation: “The golden age of America begins right now,” claiming that the nation will “flourish and be respected again all over the world.” This statement, however, came just days after he taunted Canada, suggesting the annexation of the northern neighbor as America’s 51st state. Quite the manner to earn international respect, one might say.
Although America remains the world’s most influential nation, he boldly claimed that its “sovereignty will be reclaimed.” This rhetoric, like much of his address, catered to the tastes of his base, offering them the red meat they crave. This has been his strategy all along: leveraging fear and gullibility to his advantage. While others hope for the awakening of America’s better angels, he banks on its darker instincts to serve his personal goals.
No American leader in recent memory has so effectively manipulated the fears and ignorance of both privileged and economically disadvantaged Americans for personal and political gain. His followers never fail to answer his call. Whether they love or hate him, he remains a master at exploiting human weaknesses.
He blames the “other”—immigrants, minorities, or anyone who doesn’t fit his narrative—for the woes of struggling Americans, conveniently ignoring the destructive roles of corporate barons like himself. His audience eagerly consumes this narrative, encouraging him to double down on these divisive tactics.
This pattern is nothing new. Throughout history, marginalized groups, like the Irish, faced similar scapegoating. Each wave of immigrants was labeled a threat, their presence resented by those who came before. This cyclical resentment is what he expertly exploits, beginning with his baseless attacks on the 44th president, whom he disparaged as a foreign-born stooge. His infamous ‘birther’ campaign demanded proof of the president’s birthplace, which, even when provided, was dismissed as inauthentic.
The playbook is simple yet effective: fuel engineered outrage with real or imagined grievances, rally the gullible, and reap political profit. The same strategy is used to exacerbate issues like immigration, corporate exploitation, and even gender conflicts, all to his advantage.
If anyone thought he would change after a contentious campaign, they were sorely mistaken. The wife of the 44th president, having endured his relentless assaults and falsehoods, wisely chose to avoid his latest crude display.
The fact remains: he won, and he did so convincingly—“tremendously,” as he might say. He now holds a renewed mandate, emboldened by an electorate more concerned with short-term gains than the long-term risks of his leadership. His actions and rhetoric continue to strengthen his grip, reflecting the priorities of a majority willing to overlook the dangers of a leader who prioritizes personal gain over national unity.
Folabi Ogunleye, a political analyst, writes from the USA
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