Trump inauguration: a political analysis from Hertfordshire expert
Donald Trump is today officially becoming the 47th President of the United States
Donald Trump is to be officially inaugurated today (January 20) for his second term in office.
He is becoming the 47th President of the United States, with Ben Nutt, a lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Hertfordshire, sharing his insights on the implications of Trump’s return to the White House.
A Return to familiar rhetoric
“I think it symbolizes that the Biden electoral victory in 2020 was a product of circumstance rather than a shift away from the partisan and the political dynamics that brought Trump to the presidency in the first place,” Dr Nutt said.
He suggested that President Joe Biden’s initial victory was heavily influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and Trump’s handling of the crisis.
“The return of Trump symbolizes that not a lot has changed really within American politics,” he added, highlighting the continuity of ideological divides.
Dr Nutt observed that Trump’s second term is unlikely to deviate significantly from his first, predicting that “we can expect pretty much similar things to what we had the first time round.”
He pointed to the striking similarity in rhetoric, stating, “There’s no reason to suggest that Trump will be any different in his presidency.”
Polarisation
Commenting on the strong reactions from social media and female movements following Trump’s re-election, Dr Nutt noted that the landscape has shifted since Trump’s first term.
“The results of his last presidency and the reversing of Roe versus Wade, for instance, the stacking of the Supreme Court… it seems to be far less centered in the US as opposed to everywhere else,” he said.
Dr Nutt highlighted the complexities of the issue: “Gender matters. You would feel with the electorate or result that happened featured very little in the thinking of the US public or certainly mainstream US public when they went to the ballot box.”
He also acknowledged that while opposition voices are important, “we have to respect the democratic process… whilst also continuing to press the importance of what we feel are inalienable rights.”
Reactions from the UK and beyond
In the UK, the reaction to Trump’s second inauguration has been vocal, with protests planned across the country.
Dr Nutt attributed this to differing perceptions of US politics in the UK compared to the US itself.
“The UK’s perception of US politics appears inherently different to what we see in the US,” he explained.
Citing examples like former President Barack Obama’s enduring popularity in the UK despite waning support in the US, Dr Nutt said, “There was almost Trump mania during his first term, and it seems like it’s gone again in that direction.”
The polarisation is also evident within the UK. “There’s likely to be counter protests as well,” he said. “There’s likely to be a lot of people in the UK that think this is a good move and a good outcome in the United States as well.”
What Lies Ahead for the US
Looking at the implications of Trump’s second term for the US, Dr Nutt was cautious about the prospect of significant change. “The strong confines within the US system almost prevent change,” he said. However, he noted that with the Republican Party holding the presidency, Senate, and House, there is potential for impactful decisions.
He predicted a continuation of Trump’s hallmark policies, such as “the strong rhetoric against things like illegal immigration… and supposed clampdowns on firearms legislation.”
On the international stage, Dr Nutt suggested Trump’s foreign policy would remain “volatile,” with a focus on tariffs and industrialisation.
The Role of Public Figures and Musk’s Influence
Dr Nutt also addressed the growing role of public figures like Elon Musk in politics.
“It’s nothing new for media personalities to involve themselves in politics, particularly in the US,” he said. Referring to Musk’s recent actions, he observed, “We’re actually seeing Twitter, or X, gave him a platform. It gave him a platform to be much, much more influential.”
He added that Musk’s alignment with some of Trump’s ideologies could make him a symbol for the administration: “The Trump administration will tap into Elon Musk as someone who they can posit as a symbol of the American dream.”