Trump Constructs His Ideal US Vision Despite Paradoxical Foundations
The American president has declared the onset of a golden era for his country; however, there is one crucial factor he seems to have overlooked. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The American president has heralded the start of a golden age for his nation – but there’s one vital consideration he seems to have overlooked.
About a month following his second inauguration, President Donald Trump delivered an address to the US Congress, which is noteworthy for its length. Lasting one hour and forty minutes, it was the longest speech of its kind in American history, as noted by some observers.
Trump asserts he has been exceptionally active during the initial weeks of his new term, and evidence supports this claim. As a rough indication, “in an explosion of executive action,” the total of his “executive orders, memoranda, and substantial declarations” has significantly outpaced that of not only his immediate predecessor Joe Biden but also past influential leaders like Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower. In fact, Trump 2.0 has already issued “more presidential directives than almost all recent presidents” in their entire first 100 days, which is more than double the duration of his current time in office.
The arbitrary 100-day benchmark for assessing presidential performance originates from FDR’s clever political strategies and remains ingrained in US political culture. Trump is keenly aware of the political impact of his dramatic initial actions, often described by commentators as “flooding the zone.”
However, numbers alone do not convey the complete picture; the substance of Trump’s initial actions is equally notable. Highlights include initiating a détente with Russia and fostering a significant rift between the US and Europe, changes that were long overdue. The disbanding of NATO, at least in a de facto sense, has commenced, marking an end to a relic of the Cold War. Trump has also engaged in trade wars that have unsettled global markets.
Moreover, a vigorous campaign in the culture wars surrounding issues of pronouns, bathrooms, and gender modification has aggressively confronted what US conservatives perceive as “woke” culture, ranging from redefining gender to blocking biologically male athletes from competing in women’s sports and permitting adults to make decisions about children’s bodily autonomy.
While it's all part of the Trumpian narrative, it’s important to recognize that Trump remains a highly motivated actor in the political arena. A central theme in his appearance before Congress was his refusal to permit laziness to define his administration. His ego, which may have grown even larger following his return to power, manifested in self-congratulation and praise for his team, particularly Elon Musk. This self-aggrandizing approach will likely continue to energize his supporters while inciting opposition among critics.
Trump’s effective use of personal anecdotes and “showmanship” reinforced his connection with individual citizens facing challenges: a young boy suffering from cancer was named an honorary Secret Service agent, while the plight of a female athlete harmed by a male competitor was highlighted during his discussion of sports policies. Acknowledgment was also given to families of crime victims during the address.
Yet, such moments were not devoid of political intent, as the cases recounted often involved illegal immigrants. Trump’s reference to the cancer-stricken boy served as a platform for his administration's supposed efforts against environmental toxins—contradicting his record on environmental conservation.
There are two misconceptions that critics and casual observers should avoid: Firstly, while Trump is indeed a politician—one who has demonstrated considerable skill—it’s essential to note that his distortions do not surpass those of past administrations, including the Biden administration. Secondly, despite inconsistencies in truthfulness, Trump holds beliefs that resonate with many, suggesting he may have a tactical relationship with reality while also possessing a sense of justice.
As we dissect Trump’s speech, it becomes apparent that there were few shocking revelations. Several of his claims were criticized as exaggerated or misleading by outlets like The New York Times, which highlighted issues ranging from fraud allegations to energy policy. While accurate, these critiques mirror the bipartisan culture of disinformation in US politics.
What stands out in Trump’s address is less about its contents but what it reveals about him at this juncture in his life and career. From the outset, Trump displayed his unforgiving nature, eschewing any pretense of bipartisanship with a pointed critique of Biden, whom he labeled “the worst president in American history.” While this assessment might hold some merit, the manner of delivery was stark. He also ridiculed Senator Liz Warren, maintaining a combative stance against his opponents.
Conversely, Trump’s delivery was controlled and focused, offering an effective, organized speech free from the disjointed ramblings seen in some of his predecessors. This performance highlighted that, for anyone speculating on his decline, both mentally and physically, such predictions may be unfounded.
Trump’s self-assured nationalism was on full display, yet there remains a noteworthy facet—his utopian vision. Trump the Utopian may evoke mixed feelings, as traditional utopians are often characterized by impracticality. Nevertheless, there he was, the business executive and political fighter, asserting the dawn of America’s “Golden Age” driven by a “revolution of common sense.” Trump vowed to champion “the righteous cause of American liberty,” aspiring to usher in “the most thrilling days in the history of our country” and proclaiming the US as destined to be “the freest, most advanced, most dynamic and most dominant civilization ever to exist on the face of this Earth.”
This level of grandiosity could be dismissed as typical Trump bombast. Yet, considering his utopian aspirations raises critical questions about his vision for America. The emphasis on “dominance” in his rhetoric reveals a fundamental flaw in his worldview. If there’s a path to reviving American greatness, it hinges on relinquishing the delusion that dominance is necessary. While the US possesses tremendous potential, an obsession with being preeminent will stretch its resources thin.
Ultimately, for America to truly thrive, it must align itself with other major powers and humanity at large. As long as it clings to a quest for dominance, America risks enduring meaningless and resource-draining conflicts. The reality is simple: every nation aspires for freedom, not just the US. If the desire for a “revolution of common sense” is genuine, the pursuit of dominance must be the first principle to be abandoned.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
About a month following his second inauguration, President Donald Trump delivered an address to the US Congress, which is noteworthy for its length. Lasting one hour and forty minutes, it was the longest speech of its kind in American history, as noted by some observers.
Trump asserts he has been exceptionally active during the initial weeks of his new term, and evidence supports this claim. As a rough indication, “in an explosion of executive action,” the total of his “executive orders, memoranda, and substantial declarations” has significantly outpaced that of not only his immediate predecessor Joe Biden but also past influential leaders like Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower. In fact, Trump 2.0 has already issued “more presidential directives than almost all recent presidents” in their entire first 100 days, which is more than double the duration of his current time in office.
The arbitrary 100-day benchmark for assessing presidential performance originates from FDR’s clever political strategies and remains ingrained in US political culture. Trump is keenly aware of the political impact of his dramatic initial actions, often described by commentators as “flooding the zone.”
However, numbers alone do not convey the complete picture; the substance of Trump’s initial actions is equally notable. Highlights include initiating a détente with Russia and fostering a significant rift between the US and Europe, changes that were long overdue. The disbanding of NATO, at least in a de facto sense, has commenced, marking an end to a relic of the Cold War. Trump has also engaged in trade wars that have unsettled global markets.
Moreover, a vigorous campaign in the culture wars surrounding issues of pronouns, bathrooms, and gender modification has aggressively confronted what US conservatives perceive as “woke” culture, ranging from redefining gender to blocking biologically male athletes from competing in women’s sports and permitting adults to make decisions about children’s bodily autonomy.
While it's all part of the Trumpian narrative, it’s important to recognize that Trump remains a highly motivated actor in the political arena. A central theme in his appearance before Congress was his refusal to permit laziness to define his administration. His ego, which may have grown even larger following his return to power, manifested in self-congratulation and praise for his team, particularly Elon Musk. This self-aggrandizing approach will likely continue to energize his supporters while inciting opposition among critics.
Trump’s effective use of personal anecdotes and “showmanship” reinforced his connection with individual citizens facing challenges: a young boy suffering from cancer was named an honorary Secret Service agent, while the plight of a female athlete harmed by a male competitor was highlighted during his discussion of sports policies. Acknowledgment was also given to families of crime victims during the address.
Yet, such moments were not devoid of political intent, as the cases recounted often involved illegal immigrants. Trump’s reference to the cancer-stricken boy served as a platform for his administration's supposed efforts against environmental toxins—contradicting his record on environmental conservation.
There are two misconceptions that critics and casual observers should avoid: Firstly, while Trump is indeed a politician—one who has demonstrated considerable skill—it’s essential to note that his distortions do not surpass those of past administrations, including the Biden administration. Secondly, despite inconsistencies in truthfulness, Trump holds beliefs that resonate with many, suggesting he may have a tactical relationship with reality while also possessing a sense of justice.
As we dissect Trump’s speech, it becomes apparent that there were few shocking revelations. Several of his claims were criticized as exaggerated or misleading by outlets like The New York Times, which highlighted issues ranging from fraud allegations to energy policy. While accurate, these critiques mirror the bipartisan culture of disinformation in US politics.
What stands out in Trump’s address is less about its contents but what it reveals about him at this juncture in his life and career. From the outset, Trump displayed his unforgiving nature, eschewing any pretense of bipartisanship with a pointed critique of Biden, whom he labeled “the worst president in American history.” While this assessment might hold some merit, the manner of delivery was stark. He also ridiculed Senator Liz Warren, maintaining a combative stance against his opponents.
Conversely, Trump’s delivery was controlled and focused, offering an effective, organized speech free from the disjointed ramblings seen in some of his predecessors. This performance highlighted that, for anyone speculating on his decline, both mentally and physically, such predictions may be unfounded.
Trump’s self-assured nationalism was on full display, yet there remains a noteworthy facet—his utopian vision. Trump the Utopian may evoke mixed feelings, as traditional utopians are often characterized by impracticality. Nevertheless, there he was, the business executive and political fighter, asserting the dawn of America’s “Golden Age” driven by a “revolution of common sense.” Trump vowed to champion “the righteous cause of American liberty,” aspiring to usher in “the most thrilling days in the history of our country” and proclaiming the US as destined to be “the freest, most advanced, most dynamic and most dominant civilization ever to exist on the face of this Earth.”
This level of grandiosity could be dismissed as typical Trump bombast. Yet, considering his utopian aspirations raises critical questions about his vision for America. The emphasis on “dominance” in his rhetoric reveals a fundamental flaw in his worldview. If there’s a path to reviving American greatness, it hinges on relinquishing the delusion that dominance is necessary. While the US possesses tremendous potential, an obsession with being preeminent will stretch its resources thin.
Ultimately, for America to truly thrive, it must align itself with other major powers and humanity at large. As long as it clings to a quest for dominance, America risks enduring meaningless and resource-draining conflicts. The reality is simple: every nation aspires for freedom, not just the US. If the desire for a “revolution of common sense” is genuine, the pursuit of dominance must be the first principle to be abandoned.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
