At his second Presidential inauguration, Donald Trump set the tone for round two when he declared that “The golden age of America begins right now.”
The success of Trump’s first Presidency is usually overshadowed by its end. Prior to 2020, the economy had been booming, the wall was being built, and there were real hopes for peace after the signing of the Abraham Accords. However, the pandemic, election integrity concerns, and January 6th concealed Trump’s successes with a grim newscycle.
The following years were painful, as the country adjusted to the uncomfortable “new normal” of the Biden era. Unjust government mandates for things like masks and vaccines were now common. Schools and offices shifted into online formats that crippled social health. Consumer prices rose about 24% between February 2020 and February 2025, limiting the purchasing power of working Americans. Left with nothing but the brooding cackle of Kamala Harris, the country seemed to be on the brink.
Trump’s overwhelming second victory left a lot of people with the question: Where do we go from here?
For decades, American politicians have been elected through empty promises forgotten as soon as they gain power. Figures like Paul Ryan became despised by conservatives as they traded their grassroots bases for big government policies. Trump helped change the cynicism of those who felt gypped by the old guard of the GOP throughout his first term. Between judicial appointments, trade policy, and tax cuts, Trump’s first administration showed the nation that real political change was possible.
The second term hasn’t been perfect. Conspiracy theories aside, the Epstein debacle has been a massive strain on the second administration. Worried conservatives have also been critical of issues such as tariff policy and the One Big Beautiful Big. Yet all of these fears pale in comparison to a noticeable shift in the American attitude.
Conservatives finally feel like they are winning – a feeling that might have felt foreign after the years of enduring the Left’s domination. Illegal border crossings have almost entirely ended, and ICE is seeing record setting recruitment numbers. Trump has overseen multiple peace agreements between several warring nations, including one between Armenia and Azerbajin this past Friday. America has begun to reprioritize health through limiting artificial dyes in foods and stopping child mutilation through “gender-affirming care.”
These are actual political wins that conservatives can cite and their effects can be felt throughout the culture.
This past week, videos of SEC sororities making fun TikToks and recruitment videos have gone viral. Known as “RushTok,” the trend features spunky young women having fun as they prepare to join college sororities. The videos have dancing, special outfits, and are a uniquely creative way for girls to showcase their excitement. There is a genuine sense of joy in their performances – not the forced, inauthentic “joy” of Kamala Harris and the Democratic party, but a joy that is distinctly American.
The NFL also returned for its preseason, bringing with it a restored sense of American greatness. However, this is not the NFL of years prior, where players wouldn’t stand during the National Anthem or would write “BLM” on their helmets. Instead, Trump urged the Washington Commanders to go back to their former name, the Washington Redskins. Many online applauded the President for sticking up for a return to tradition. Football has also seen players like Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson openly praising God in interviews.
Even earlier in the summer, Shane Gillis’ monologue at the ESPY Awards proved that mainstream outlets were willing to broadcast jokes aimed at organizations like the WNBA. In 2019, Gillis was fired from “Saturday Night Live” for being too controversial. Now, he’s one of the most influential comedians and public figures in the country.
Fun, excellence, and humor have returned to America. The heaviness of Leftism has started to subside. Each week, the culture is slowly being restored, whether it’s through silly internet trends or world class athletes being open about their Christian faith. Each week, the Trump administration seems to score another win. And, each week, America seems closer to regaining her identity.
Trump has a knack for success, and his prediction about entering another golden age seems to be true for a wayward society.
