The Second Coming: Trump Inaugural and America’s New Epoch

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Legal controversies and the January 6th Capitol insurrection overshadowed the legacy of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States. They marred his first term despite achievements in bolstering the economy and striving to end endless wars.

As the 47th President-elect, Trump stands at the threshold of history once again, only the second president to return to office for a non-consecutive term. His extraordinary victory, securing the most Latino and Black votes ever for a Republican, sweeping every swing state, and winning both the popular and electoral college votes, is a testament to the magnitude of his political comeback.

Pulse of a Divided Nation

Under the Biden-Harris administration, America grappled with a far-left agenda that polarized the nation further. Yeats wrote in The Second Coming, “The falcon cannot hear the falconer.” From inflationary economic policies to divisive cultural debates on gender, race, and caste, the administration struggled to connect with large swathes of the American populace. To quote Yeats again, “Things fall apart; the center cannot hold.”

The seismic return of Trump represents more than a political victory—it signals a fundamental shift in America’s trajectory. The resounding mandate highlights the discontent with the status quo and the desire for a leader who promises decisive action.

What Lies Ahead?

As January 20th approaches, a key question lingers: will Trump’s second inauguration see less resistance from celebrities and cultural elites than his first? In 2016, many artists boycotted his swearing-in. However, the tide may be shifting. Even The View has softened its venomous tone, and businesses are already signaling their readiness to align with the new administration.

For instance, Gautam Adani’s $10 billion investment in U.S. energy was announced mere days after Trump’s victory, along with several deals planned during Trump’s first term. Meanwhile, the New York Times has expressed concern over merging Trump’s business interests with his presidency, as other deals were announced at Mar-a-Lago.

Trump’s promise of an economic boom— “taking off like a rocket ship”—has rekindled optimism among corporate leaders and small businesses alike. The stock market has surged to record highs, buoyed by his commitment to curbing inflation and revitalizing American industry.

Global Stage: Allies, Adversaries, and White Doves

As Trudeau resigns, it is clear that Trump’s foreign policy is poised to be as unpredictable as it is ambitious. His invitation to both allies and adversaries for his inauguration hints at a recalibration of global diplomacy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already extended a peace proposal, while Vladimir Putin’s attendance signals a willingness to engage even with contentious figures.

Trump’s vision extends far beyond America’s borders. He has pledged unwavering support for Israel, vowing retribution for the October 7th kidnappings and hostages. His strong stance resonates with Jewish Americans and global allies alike.

Additionally, while apparently inviting Xi Ping for the inauguration, Trump has signaled a tougher stance toward China. The growing trade imbalance and China’s geopolitical expansionism will undoubtedly remain focal points of his foreign policy, as Trump wears his MAGA hat to implement an ‘America first’ policy.

This time, Trump’s administration has a team that reflects his outsider ethos: technocrats, corporate heavyweights, and anti-establishment leaders. If chaos marked his first term, his second promises focus and execution.

Maverick Team for Maverick Leader

Far from the caricature of a far-right, homogeneous administration, Trump’s cabinet reflects the diversity and pragmatism of modern America. Elon Musk, a self-described centrist, is in charge of free speech and innovation. Tulsi Gabbard, a veteran and former Democrat, brings expertise in national security. Vivek Ramaswamy, author of Woke Inc., joins as a critic of DEI overreach, while RFK Jr., a staunch advocate against big pharma, represents a bipartisan approach to reform, focusing on ethical and affordable medicine.

This team exemplifies Trump’s commitment to efficiency and a rejection of traditional political norms. How he plans to tackle the challenge of adversarial reaction and limited tenure remains to be seen.

Corporate America’s Quiet Revolution

Corporate America is already shifting in response to the changing political climate. Companies like Meta and Walmart are scaling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, signaling a retreat from the “woke” policies that once dominated their agendas. Mark Zuckerberg’s declaration that “we are not arbiters of truth or a communist country” and his promise to end shadow-banning on Facebook underscore the cultural shift underway restoring constitutional rights.

Trump’s second term appears set to dismantle ideological conformity, prioritizing free speech and individual liberty over institutional dogma.

DOGE and Challenges on the Home Front

Radical change will, of course, not be smooth sailing. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is one such advisory body planning to sweep federal spending. Musk has promised to cut $2 trillion, or more than a third, of the U.S. government’s annual budget, including reducing agencies from 428 to 99. Ramaswamy’s statement about deleting the Department of Education and putting the $80 billion in the hands of parents sparked controversy.

While these measures aim to promote autonomy and efficiency, they risk undermining the constitutional checks and balances.

Our advocacy group, CasteFiles, has successfully filed legal complaints under Title VI against regulations imposing forced caste insertions at universities. While trimming bureaucratic inefficiencies is important, federal oversight should not be sacrificed in favor of so-called corporate governance structures.

Trump’s challenge will be to balance efficiency with good governance, ensuring his reforms strengthen—rather than weaken—America’s foundational structures.

The Global Mandate and Indian American Voters

America’s increasingly diverse electorate has global expectations. Despite the diversity in Trump’s cabinet, Indian Americans, who moved the needle significantly for Trump’s campaign, have voiced concerns post-election. Instead of focusing solely on illegal immigration as expected, figures like Steve Bannon have targeted the H-1B visa program, a critical gateway for skilled Indian professionals to the U.S. Additionally, Hindu Americans, a key voting bloc, have faced hate speech from figures like Laura Loomer.

Their demands include addressing the green card backlog, protecting a merit-based H1B visa system, and confronting rising anti-Hinduism. Several Hindu Temples faced vandalism, while Indian students and Hindu Americans faced a risk to their safety in the past four years. The clouds over the mysterious death of Suchir Balaji, the Indian American OpenAI whistleblower, is one such incident that needs the might of Trump’s administrative support to bring justice.

At the same time, Trump’s pre-election solidarity with oppressed minorities worldwide, including Hindus in Bangladesh, must now translate into meaningful action against the vile and heinous crimes under Younus. His ability to navigate these global aspirations while delivering on domestic priorities will be a key test of his leadership.

Clock is Ticking

With only four years to deliver and no possibility of a third term, the urgency is palpable as Trump’s administration is acting swiftly to capitalize on its momentum and address the challenges facing America – even before the oath ceremony.

As Yeats wrote, “Surely some revelation is at hand; surely the Second Coming is at hand.” Whether Trump’s return heralds renewal or further fragmentation remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—this will be a nationalist government of self-identifying patriots. To spin Yeats’ analogy for Trump’s resounding comeback - as the bald eagle’s cry echoes across the land, America prepares to enter a new epoch under Trump 2.0. 

 

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of New India Abroad.)