“America’s Golden Age Begins Now,” Trump Declares in Inaugural Speech

In a bold and defiant inaugural speech on Monday, President Donald J. Trump, beginning his second term, declared that “the golden age of America begins right now.” He vowed to restore the nation’s strength, saying, “From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world.”

Trump’s address painted a picture of a nation in decline, with promises to “rescue” Americans from what he described as a “radical and corrupt establishment.” He claimed that for years, wealth and power had been “extracted” from the citizens, leaving the core of American society “broken and seemingly in complete disrepair.” He concluded with a resounding declaration: “From this moment on, America’s decline is over.”

The president laid out a combative vision for his second term, with significant emphasis on economic reforms, border security, and his opposition to social policies that he views as divisive. In one of the speech’s most striking moments, Trump made headlines by boldly stating, “There are only two genders: male and female,” a statement that earned a standing ovation from his supporters. This remark underscored his commitment to battling what he calls “the forces of social engineering” in America’s institutions, and emphasized his goal of forging a “colorblind, merit-based” society.

Trump also reaffirmed his long-standing stance on border control, promising to crack down on illegal immigration and reassert U.S. sovereignty. His call to halt what he called the “radicalization of our education system” and the roll-back of diversity initiatives further illustrated his combative stance against progressive policies.

On the economy, Trump reiterated his pledge to prioritize American workers, focusing on a new “external revenue source” to enforce tariffs. He pointed to this as a potential mechanism for funding the extension of the 2017 tax cuts, which are set to expire. Trump’s focus on tariffs and bringing jobs back to America highlighted his “America First” economic agenda.

The president also renewed his vow to “bring back free speech to America” and to end what he described as “government censorship.” This remark, in the midst of his ongoing legal battles with various media outlets, was a direct attack on what he views as the erosion of freedom in American discourse.

Trump took credit for international successes, including the release of Israeli hostages, although the operation was a joint effort with the Biden administration. He also vowed to restore global respect for the U.S., framing his presidency as one focused not only on winning battles but also on avoiding unnecessary wars.

In a symbolic act of nationalism, Trump announced plans to rename the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America,” further signaling his desire to assert U.S. dominance on the world stage.

On energy policy, Trump reiterated his goal of boosting American oil and gas exports, promising to make the nation “rich again” through energy independence. He also acknowledged the growing support he garnered from Black and Hispanic voters, stating, “I won’t forget that they supported me.” Paying homage to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthday was observed on the same day as the inauguration, Trump linked his vision of economic opportunity and racial unity to the civil rights leader’s legacy.

Earlier in the day, an incoming administration official confirmed that under Trump’s leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs would be eliminated, signaling a shift in policy that will impact federal agencies and contractors.

With a speech rich in nationalistic rhetoric, economic promises, and cultural flashpoints, Trump’s second inaugural address set the stage for a presidency that is likely to ignite both fervent support and passionate opposition as his administration moves forward.