“To restore the soul and to secure the future of America – requires more than words. It requires that most elusive of things in a democracy: Unity. Unity.”
President Biden would go on to use the word unity or versions of it a dozen more times in his 2021 inaugural speech, making it the central theme of his vision. It’s safe to say that he did not achieve that vision, unless you count the 75% of Americans who told Gallup they were unsatisfied with the direction of the country for the last two years.
In contrast, President Trump only used the word twice in his inauguration speech this week. Predictably, the media criticized him for being divisive and not attempting to bring the country together after a tough campaign season.
But rather than delivering predictable and vapid clichés, Trump told the American people what they needed to hear.
“As we gather today, our government confronts a crisis of trust. For many years, a radical and corrupt establishment has extracted power and wealth from our citizens while the pillars of our society lay broken and seemingly in complete disrepair.”
He referenced California’s mishandling of the wildfires, FEMA’s neglect of hurricane victims, our poor health care system, the education establishment’s indoctrination of our students, and of course, America’s broken immigration system and failed border security.
The solution? Work, not hugs.
“My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal and all of these many betrayals that have taken place and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and, indeed, their freedom. From this moment on, America’s decline is over,” Trump declared.
“That is why each day under our administration of American patriots, we will be working to meet every crisis with dignity and power and strength. We will move with purpose and speed to bring back hope, prosperity, safety, and peace for citizens of every race, religion, color, and creed.”
This is an administration that understands the assignment. And there’s no better way to unify the American people than by getting to work and getting results.
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