Written By: Owen Weems, Editor-In-Chief
CHANGE: Undoubtedly, this new Trump administration is going to do its best to live up to campaign promises; but is that what America really needs?
On January 20th, 2025, millions of Americans tuned in to what is bound to be one of the most important inaugurations of our lifetimes. As Joe Biden passed the torch to Donald Trump, our nation’s 47th president, many began to understand that their lives were going to change, some for the better, many for the worse. We thought it would be important to talk about the most notable events from Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration and even some of the executive orders and legislation he has passed in his first week in office.
The crowd itself drew more than a couple of eyes. Many of America’s wealthiest businessmen and tech moguls made their appearance at the swearing-in of America’s president. Most notably, we saw Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk all standing behind the president, taking the seats of politicians and other figures that one would expect to be invited to an event such as this one. Even TikTok’s CEO was at the inauguration, following the controversial reinstating of TikTok in US markets by Donald Trump following its ban just days prior. This amassing of the world’s wealthiest men at Trump’s inauguration speaks volumes to which direction the next 4 years are going to head; Trump plans to help “streamline” production for America’s wealthiest men by removing regulation and refocusing on the needs of the elites.
Even more controversy arose from Donald Trump refusing to place his hand on the Bible during his inauguration ceremony. The values of the president were called into question when he, despite his claims to be a practicing Christian, seemingly forgot to place his hand on the book. The disruption of the norm by forgetting to take part in this tradition that all past presidents have taken part in has caused some sparks to fly and tensions to soar among even his party. If we can’t trust him to stand by his beliefs, what can we trust him for?
Now by far the most telling of the events that went down on January 20th happened as Elon Musk was wrapping up his speech. As we know, Elon spent hundreds of millions of dollars privately funding Donald Trump’s election campaign and has been boasting about the win all over his social media website, X (formerly Twitter). He has now been appointed as the head of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), which frankly was made just so he would feel included, and has become a part of Trump’s closest cabinet. So what does it say about the next 4 years under Trump’s administration, when its biggest donor finishes his speech by giving a salute reminiscent to the Roman salute, the same one used by Nazi Germany during World War 2. And he hit the questionable salute, not once, but twice.
Of course, this could all be sensationalized and we may just need time to calm down as we all adjust to this shift, but what has President Trump done in office for the week he has had it. In his first day as president, he removed us from both the WHO (World Health Organization) and the Paris Agreement, an accord made among nations to fight the growth of climate change. He has also started mass deportation campaigns around the United States using ICE operatives to deport and investigate immigrants of this country. Now more than ever it is time to be informed and find solidarity with loved ones and closest friends. Times of change take strength to persevere, but I trust that we will all find solace and comfort through unity. Whether you support Donald Trump or not, be prepared for change.