OPINION: Trump just put American nationalism on steroids
Photo via Shealeah Craighead/Public domain/Wikimedia Commons
Ollie Hunt, a Freshman studying Journalism, argues that Trump’s address to Congress will only heighten the patriotism felt by his supporters.
President Donald Trump addressed Congresspeople and selected guests on March 4 in a joint session of Congress. The speech involved a recap of the first 43 days for him in office as well as future plans for the nation.
First and foremost, the divide of emotion in the gallery was harrowing. Multiple camera shots throughout the gallery showed the divide between parties. On the left side of the speaker, Republicans roared with applause and chants for Trump. Throughout the entire speech, Trump received standing ovations from Republican guests upwards of 50 times.
Contrastingly, democratic guests stayed in their seats. As Trump took to the podium, heckles and booing could be heard. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson implored those guests to “maintain decorum in the House.” When Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, did not follow these orders, he was removed. Republican guests clapped and cheered as he was escorted out of the gallery. While this action is on another spectrum of outburst, it seems a bit hypocritical. Democratic guests stayed quiet after that but could be seen holding signs saying, “Save Medicaid” and “Musk Steals.”
The atmosphere of the room was very emotionally charged and anyone could tell what kind of divide this administration is accepting and encouraging. Trump addressed the guests on his right only a handful of times over the course of his speech but when he did, it was almost as if he was trying to goad and tease the guests. Trump referred to the guests on his right as “these people” and “radical left lunatics,” often making sweeping remarks about how they feel about him. These remarks were often met with applause from the President’s left, further showing how divided our government has become. It’s interesting to see the divide in real time and also very heartbreaking. Our country’s leaders should be working together to solve problems and help our country’s citizens, not goading each other and participating in schoolyard-esque teasing.
Trump spent a portion of time speaking about what he’s already done in his first month as president, hailing his first month as the “most successful in the history of our nation.” The President spoke about a plethora of topics ranging from the borders to tariffs to transgender rights. For each subject that he spoke about, it seemed that he had a guest in the gallery who was positively affected by his solutions. While acknowledging guests in the gallery has been a tradition since 1982, Trump seemed to use this practice as political posturing. I’ve given my opinion on political posturing before. The President is great at it. He knows how to work a crowd from his background as an actor. This address was not lacking his usual crowd work. Each guest that Trump introduced was there because he or she fit his agenda and had some kind of action that the president attached to them.
Trump seems to have renewed a sense of nationalism on steroids. He plans to single out the country and alienate itself from other nations, including our neighbors Mexico and Canada. Whether that be through tariffs or lack of foreign relations, he seems to think that America is entering its “golden age.” Speaking of gold, the president announced he will be creating a new, $5 million visa for immigrants. He plans to use the profits from these visas, which will grant immigrants permanent residency status, to help the nation’s debt. According to NPR’s fact check, the president cannot solely create this visa and the creation will have to go through Congress. Whether or not this is a real thing, it feels dystopian, especially considering the president’s multiple calls to the American Dream. America should not be profiting from those seeking a better life. If we are in a so-called “golden age” where we are creating better lives for our citizens, without making them pay, why are we allowing our government to profit off of others trying to create a better life for themselves?
Trump ends the address with a plethora of synonyms and descriptors used to give the audience and the nation a feel for what he wants America to look like by the end of his presidency: “proud, free, sovereign, and independent.” He describes the country to be full of “doers, dreamers, and fighters” and wants America to plant a flag on Mars. A very riveting goal.
I really feel like this address set the tone for how Trump will address his nation throughout his administration. He will divide us further and drive the wedge between the two parties, making it hard to reconcile and work together on important issues. That being said, it will help his own legislation and directives pass with full republican party support.
Please note that these views and opinions do not reflect those of The New Political.