During PBS’s coverage of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, New York Times columnist David Brooks remarked on Trump’s pragmatic approach in his inaugural address. Brooks observed that Trump’s focus on tangible policies rather than lofty rhetoric resonated with a public that has grown increasingly distrustful of political promises.
Trump’s Concrete Focus
Brooks described Trump’s speech as reminiscent of a State of the Union address, emphasizing policies and actions rather than abstract ideals. “Not stupid, not a stupid strategy,” Brooks said. “Americans are distrustful. I think they may be fed up with lofty words. And a lot of the policies are more popular than Donald Trump is.” Brooks noted that this approach aimed to give Americans “concrete things that they can applaud at,” which he described as an effective way to address a skeptical public.
Nostalgia and Vision
Brooks also highlighted the historical references in Trump’s speech, describing them as “a little 19th century-ish” with mentions of manifest destiny, railroads, and figures like William McKinley. He interpreted these themes as reflective of Trump’s admiration for a period when America grew into a global superpower. Brooks contrasted this nostalgia with the reality of America’s foundation on immigration during the same era.
Foreign Policy and China’s Influence
Shifting to foreign policy, Brooks pointed out that Trump avoided mentioning China in his address but argued that U.S.-China relations would likely dominate his administration. Brooks identified China’s advancements in artificial intelligence and military aggression in the Philippines as key issues. He suggested that the outcome of a potential conflict over Taiwan could define America’s trajectory over the next four years. “Whether Taiwan gets invaded or not…sets the tenor for the American trajectory,” he stated.
Brooks concluded that while Trump may prefer to focus on domestic issues, global challenges, particularly those involving China, will demand attention during his presidency.
