On 20 January 2025, Donald Trump took the oath of office for the second time and delivered an inaugural speech strikingly different from his usual style. Gone was the bombastic Trump of campaign rallies, replaced by a measured, composed, and—above all—intelligible version. For those who have struggled to grasp Trump’s worldview, this was a rare opportunity to peer into the mind of a man whose rhetoric has often confounded his critics.
“The Golden Age of America begins right now,” Trump declared. “From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer. During every single day of the Trump administration, I will very simply put America first.”
