Eight years ago, Donald Trump delivered an inaugural address that eclipsed typical optimism and promises of unity with a bleak portrait of national life.
His uncompromisingly populist and nationalist speech introduced the terms “American Carnage” and “America First” into the president’s vocabulary. It signaled how he would govern in his first term — and how the president-elect would govern in his second.
Here’s a look back at Trump’s initial remarks and why they remain relevant ahead of his encore on Monday.
“The forgotten men and women of our country will no longer be forgotten.”
To be sure, many presidents have presented their election as evidence of a rebirth of democracy. But Trump went beyond mere celebrations by American voters:
“The politicians were doing well – but jobs were disappearing and factories were closing. The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. Their victories were not your victories; Their triumphs were not your triumphs; And while they celebrated in our nation’s capital, families in need across our country had little reason to celebrate. … The forgotten men and women of our country will no longer be forgotten.”
If anything, Trump has increased his anger over eight years, even as he has usurped a Cabinet and a West Wing full of billionaires. During his first term, he also pushed for comprehensive tax reform that targeted immense corporations and the wealthiest households. But in 2024, he added numerous promises to working-class voters suffering from inflation, most notably his pledges to exempt tips and Social Security from taxes.
“You came by the tens of millions… a historic movement the likes of which the world has never seen before.”
Trump made the necessary references to national unity. But he spoke clearly to his supporters using language that uplifted them, even though Hillary Clinton had led the national popular vote. In 2024, Trump won the popular vote, and since then he has played up the idea that his victory — clear but still competitive — was a mandate and even a “landslide.”
“This American carnage stops right here and stops immediately.”
That phrase, which underscores Trump’s description of a fading nation, became shorthand for his 15-minute speech. There is a “different reality” than what is portrayed in the usual national eulogies of presidents, Trump said:
“Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities; rusted factories scattered like tombstones across our nation’s landscape; an education system that is flush with money but deprives our young and beautiful students of knowledge; and the crime, gangs and drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much untapped potential. This American carnage stops right here, right now.”
This was a foretaste of how Trump spoke of the US as “a failing nation” in the recent election campaign. It is of course a fundamental political and rhetorical task for politicians to formulate expectations. Franklin Delano Roosevelt spoke about the economic realities of the Great Depression when he said, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” Ronald Reagan spoke of many “crises” because he took office after a decade marked by inflation, unemployment , rising interest rates and global energy shortages.
Trump inherits a once-inflationary economy — but also an economy that stabilized and grew under President Joe Biden after a global pandemic that began during Trump’s first term. And income inequality in America widened before Trump or Biden became president.
“From this moment on, it’s America First.”
This is Trump’s secondary motto, surpassed only by “Make America Great Again.” Trump promised a renaissance of U.S. manufacturing – which expanded more under Biden than during Trump’s first term, particularly in computer chip production. Trump imposed recent tariffs and promised higher taxes when he returns.
“We will build new roads, highways, bridges, airports, tunnels and railways throughout our wonderful country.”
This was one of the more concrete promises of Trump’s “America First” idea. However, he failed to secure a immense infrastructure package. Instead, Congress and Biden signed that deal and added more plans with the Inflation Reduction Act, which Trump has criticized and some Republicans are seeking to repeal.
“We don’t try to force our way of life on anyone, but rather to make it visible to everyone as an example.”
Trump’s first speech was all about foreign policy. But this 2017 statement stands out as Trump takes a more openly imperialist tone in 2025. Since his victory in November, he has talked about taking control of the Panama Canal and suggested the U.S. should annex Canada and Greenland.
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