Trump's new Gilded Age

So much for populism.

We’re almost a month into the second Trump regime, and the two defining characteristics is a return to an era like the Gilded Age, and a return to normalized American imperialism.

There is scant evidence that Trump has centered any of his policies on helping the common man, for whom he promised to be the savior. The only potential benefit to regular Americans so far could be through tariffs bringing more jobs back to the U.S., but that’s a hard argument to make in practice as these same tariffs have led to such disruptions in the economy, that layoffs could result and almost certainly, Americans will be paying more for everything. Trump promised he would not touch Social Security or Medicaid - sacred cows of the working class. Yet, here we are just a little more than three weeks in, and already cuts in Medicaid and a work requirement are on the table to fund Trump’s tax cut, which we all know predominantly benefits the very rich.

What continues to surprise me - I like to remain surprised because otherwise it indicates I have already normalized things - is how neutered the Republican Party has become, and how quickly. Trump is completely emboldened now, because whatever early pushback came from the GOP Senators, has now gone mum. It’s allowed him to do some unthinkable things out in the light of day, with little to no concern about the perception.

The result is Trump running our government more like a mafia operation. But no one who could stop him seems to care! Quid pro quo with the Mayor of NYC - why not!?Pushing his business interests at meetings convened to discuss U.S. government’s interests - sure.