America really could enter a golden age
Donald Trump would need to build on its strengths, and subdue his own weaknesses
Maybe you are in the habit of applying a hefty discount to claims by Donald Trump; no one could blame you. But he really does have the chance to lead America into the golden age he proclaimed in his second inaugural address. Historic circumstances, political dynamics and his own audacity could also enable him to achieve the legacy he wants as “a peacemaker and a unifier”. His party has fallen into lockstep; his adversaries at home are confounded and enervated, and America’s opponents abroad are preoccupied with their own troubles. Mr Trump has battled for ten years against anyone he perceives to have crossed him. His most formidable adversary still standing is probably himself.
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This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline “Golden Years”
United States
January 25th 2025- Two presidents compete over the worst abuse of the pardon power
- Donald Trump has rewritten the history of January 6th
- Ross Ulbricht, pardoned by Donald Trump, was a pioneer of crypto-crime
- Donald Trump cries “invasion” to justify an immigration crackdown
- To end birthright citizenship, Donald Trump misreads the constitution
- An unfinished election may shape a swing state’s future
- America really could enter a golden age

From the January 25th 2025 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionDonald Trump’s Washington reaches a new partisan peak
His address to Congress showed that Republicans will follow their leader anywhere, and that Democrats don’t have one
Andrew Cuomo plots a comeback in New York City
The disgraced former governor announces a run for mayor of the Big Apple
Trump’s armed forces won’t look like Biden’s
America is set to spend more—and differently
Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s savvy dealmaker
The novice diplomat embodies the president’s transactional worldview
America has never had state media like it does today
Donald Trump and Elon Musk are revolutionising presidential communication
America’s Gen Z has got religion
Because of them, a long decline in the number of Christians has levelled off