Donald Trump officially reclaimed the presidency on Monday, taking the oath of office as the 47th president of the United States, marking what he celebrated as a “historic political comeback.”
After his swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Trump delivered a concise 30-minute speech, notably brief for his usual style. Here are six standout points from his address:
1. Free Speech Restoration
Trump pledged to restore what he described as true freedom of speech by curbing government interference in tech and media censorship. He highlighted this while acknowledging tech leaders Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos, seated prominently ahead of his new Cabinet. The global impact of this agenda, especially on European efforts to regulate tech giants, will likely come into focus soon.
2. Energy Domination
Declaring a “national energy emergency,” Trump called for expanded domestic energy production with the familiar slogan “Drill, baby, drill.” Shortly after the speech, the White House confirmed the United States would once again withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, marking the second such exit under Trump’s leadership. This move is expected to heighten tensions with European policymakers pushing green initiatives.
3. Bold Territorial Ambitions
Trump made headlines with a sweeping promise to expand U.S. territory, referencing his vision for colonizing Mars. He also reiterated controversial foreign policy claims, including an inaccurate assertion that “China is operating the Panama Canal” and suggesting U.S. military intervention to “take it back” might be on the table.
4. Silence on Jan. 6 Rioters
Notably absent from Trump’s speech was any mention of the Capitol rioters convicted for their roles in the January 6, 2021, attack. This omission was significant, given Trump’s earlier public statements that he plans to issue pardons for many of them.
5. Anti-“Woke” Policies
Trump outlined plans to dismantle what he sees as divisive diversity and inclusion initiatives from the previous administration. He announced that his administration would recognize only two genders—male and female—and halt programs that promote what he referred to as “social engineering” around race and gender in public and private sectors.
6. “Make America Great Again” Returns
In a resounding call to action, Trump declared the end of America’s decline and vowed to restore the country’s global influence. Framing his return as an emblem of resilience, he urged citizens to believe in the American Dream, emphasizing, “Nothing is impossible to achieve in America.”
Trump’s return to the presidency signals a bold reentry into divisive domestic and global policies, setting the tone for his next chapter in the Oval Office.