Donald Trump – Inaugural Address (2017)
President Donald Trump’s inaugural address, delivered January 20, 2017, struck a populist tone built around the theme of “America First” and the idea of returning power to ordinary citizens.
Questions you may have include:
- What was the context?
- What were its themes?
- Why is it notable?
The context
Trump took office after a hard-fought and divisive 2016 election, and the address was aimed at the supporters who had backed his outsider campaign.
Its themes
The speech centered on putting the country’s own interests and workers first — the “America First” theme — and on transferring power from Washington back to the people. It described national problems in stark terms, a passage often referred to by its “American carnage” phrase, and promised to prioritize American jobs and security.
Why it is notable
The address was delivered in a blunt, direct, campaign-style manner and is studied as a clear statement of populist political messaging and of the priorities Trump intended to pursue in office.
Summary
Trump’s 2017 inaugural address advanced an “America First” message of putting the nation’s workers and interests first and returning power to citizens, describing the country’s problems in stark terms. Its direct, populist style makes it a notable example of populist political rhetoric.