“Make America Great Again.” The four words, emblasoned on red hats, became the rallying cry of Donald Trump’s ascendant political movement. It resonated deeply with millions, promising a return to a perceived golden age and tapping into a wellspring of nostalgia and national pride. But beneath the catchy slogan, a more critical question lingers: was MAGA a genuine call to restore lost greatness or rather, as some argue, a masterful act of sophistry, cleverly obscuring a more complex reality?
The premise of MAGA inherently suggests that America had, in fact, ceased to be great. Trump painted a picture of a nation in decline, beset by economic woes, weakened international standing, and a loss of traditional values. He pointed to job losses, trade imbalances, and a perceived erosion of American exceptionalism. This narrative, amplified through his characteristic bombast and populist rhetoric, resonated with those who felt left behind by globalisation and rapid social change.
However, a sober assessment of the pre-Trump era reveals a different picture. While challenges undoubtedly existed, to claim America was not great in the years preceding Trump is a significant oversimplification, if not outright distortion. Economically, the nation was recovering from the 2008 recession, experiencing steady if not spectacular growth. Technologically, the United States remained a global leader, driving innovation and shaping the digital age. Culturally, American influence permeated the world, from Hollywood to Silicon Valley. Diplomatically, despite missteps and disagreements, the US remained a central pillar of the international order, leading alliances and engaging in global initiatives. To deny this foundation of strength and influence seems disingenuous.
Indeed, one could argue that America was already great, albeit in a state of constant evolution and grappling with its inherent imperfections, as all nations do. The challenges Trump highlighted were real, but they were not necessarily unique to America nor insurmountable. They were the complexities of a globalised world, requiring nuanced solutions and collaborative efforts, not the isolationist and confrontational approach advocated by MAGA.
The true cost of Trump’s MAGA campaign, and his subsequent presidency, may lie not in restoring greatness, but in arguably diminishing it. His tenure has been marked by a profound and arguably unprecedented level of domestic divisiveness. Policies and rhetoric alike consistently inflamed existing societal fault lines, pitting urban against rural, liberal against conservative, and different racial and ethnic groups against each other. This polarisation, fuelled by social media and a fragmented media landscape, has eroded trust in institutions, weakened social cohesion, and left the nation deeply fractured.
Furthermore, Trump’s approach to international relations has arguably weakened America’s global standing. His “America First” doctrine prioritised unilateralism over multilateralism, alienating long-standing allies and emboldening adversaries. Withdrawals from international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran nuclear deal, trade wars with key partners, and open disdain for international institutions have undermined America’s soft power and leadership role on the world stage. While some may applaud a more assertive and nationalistic foreign policy, the long-term consequences of fractured alliances and weakened global cooperation are undeniable.
Therefore, the question arises: has MAGA actually made America greater, or has it, in a paradoxical twist, contributed to a decline in its perceived greatness? By focussing on a simplistic narrative of decline and promising a return to a romanticised past, Trump may have obscured the real levers of national strength: unity, innovation, and collaborative global leadership. His divisive rhetoric and policies at home and combative approach abroad have arguably weakened these very pillars.
Perhaps the true sophistry of MAGA lies in its deflection. Instead of engaging with the complex challenges facing a modern America, it offered a simplistic slogan, a nostalgic yearning for a vaguely defined “greatness,” and a scapegoat for societal anxieties. While the desire for national pride is understandable and even commendable, true greatness is not achieved through slogans or isolationism. It is built through addressing challenges head-on, fostering unity, embracing diversity, and engaging constructively with the world.
While the aspiration behind MAGA may have resonated with genuine concerns, the evidence suggests that its execution, driven by division and unilateralism, has not delivered on its promise. Instead, it has arguably left America more fragmented at home and less respected abroad.
Moving forward, the true path to American greatness may lie not in looking backward to a romanticised past, but in confronting the complexities of the present with unity, inclusivity, and a renewed commitment to global leadership. Only then can America truly reclaim and build upon the foundations of greatness that arguably already existed before the red hats and the rallying cry of MAGA took centre stage.
Worldwide Temple of Aurora 