Well, it happened.
With the inauguration of Donald Trump, millions of Americans are now staring down a familiar path – one many of us had hoped we wouldn’t see return after 2020. Even though many of us knew this was coming after seeing the results of the presidential election, the sight of Trump back at the White House sent a shiver down spines nationwide. It still doesn’t quite feel real.
More unsettling than the inauguration itself, however, are the hard truths we’re learning along the way – some of which became crystal clear while Trump was being sworn in. Truths like…
4 | Social Media And Big Tech Companies Are Getting In Line…
Millions of Americans were recently affected by a short-lived TikTok ban that saw widespread public opposition citing the ban’s restriction of free speech. Their fears were not happening in a vacuum. In recent years, social media platforms from Facebook to Twitter (now X) have seen increased censorship and a right-wing pivot on boosted content. It’s now evident that these platforms have an agenda of their own – one antithetical to our best interests.
That fear was only reinforced when major CEOs and founders representing Meta, Amazon, Google, Apple, TikTok, and more were front and center for the Trump inauguration. A combined trillions of dollars in net wealth sat behind Trump as he was sworn in, and all of them were happy to be there. This shouldn’t be surprising, as Trump has worked in the interest of billionaires and their businesses for years. In the years to come, this will raise genuine concerns regarding freedom of speech and content.
With big tech in line, Trump could have powerful means of spreading his agenda, and more critically suppressing those who might oppose him.
That matters a lot, because…
3 | He Has A Plan This Time…
Donald Trump is entering the White House more organized than ever. His first term was chaotic, with kneejerk decisions being made regularly – decisions that could be shot down by courts that weren’t always in lockstep with him. It’s clear from the first night of his presidency alone that this is no longer the case.
On his first night, Trump began signing executive orders, just a few of the hundreds he reportedly has in store for us. Those orders range from absurd efforts to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, to more insidious ones that will jump-start mass deportation operations nationwide. These orders, unlike those of his past, are going to face less opposition as courts at all levels of government have been filled with Trump allies.
His supporters are more focused as well. What was a celebratory feeling in 2016 for his base is now one of vengeance. With January 6th, feelings of a stolen election in 2020, attempts on Trump’s life, and more fueling the base, that shift is bound to have horrific consequences.
Trump is more organized than ever, presenting a real threat to the lives of millions. That would be troubling on its own, but it’s worse when you consider that…
2 | Opposition Is Non-Existent…
Trump’s last term was marked by Democratic Party resistance at every turn. Even if they did not leverage every avenue to stop his efforts, they at least provided occasional, if only aesthetic, resistance to his plans. That’s not the case anymore.
Since 2016, the Democratic Party has undoubtedly shifted rightward, offering more and more ground to their GOP counterparts, and sometimes even trying to outflank them (like in the case of border policy). When Trump won, there was at least a hope that they’d return to their oppositional footing, but that has yet to materialize outside of a few speeches and social media statements.
Marco Rubio was confirmed to his new Trump administration role in a unanimous 99-0 vote. Trump is starting deportation operations without serious universal pushback. We’re seeing a disorganized Democratic Party whose supporters seem more focused on attacking those who did not vote for Harris than on fighting a new wave of fascism. As Trump surges, they’re choosing to retreat from the scene almost entirely.
That presents a larger problem when you consider that…
1 | He Has The Mandate…
Whether we like it or not, Trump has been given a mandate to lead not just by the millions who showed out to vote for him, but by the media and billionaire class as well.
Trump didn’t just skate by with a narrow Electoral College-based win, he dominated. He won the popular vote by millions, with the majority of voting Americans making it clear that they support him. It’s going to be hard, but we have to reckon with the fact that it is getting impossible to say “he does not represent our values” when the country is overwhelmingly behind him.
The media and billionaire class are solidifying Trump’s mandate. The most powerful Americans are throwing untold sums behind him to elevate his message and get his allies the resources they need to bring the MAGA agenda to every level of government. We’re in for a dark and bumpy ride over the next few years. Without significant opposition from those wielding power, it’s on us and the communities we build at home.
We will weather the storm, but the work has to start now.
So – What are your thoughts on Trump’s resurgence? How does it make you feel?
Sound off below!
