On Jan. 20, President Donald Trump returned to power as the 47th president of the United States in a spectacle full of contradictions and theatrics. A mixture of bold promises, controversial decisions and dramatic moments, the event set the tone for his second term, reflecting his ongoing populist appeal and combative approach to governance. It was a day of grandiose language and illusory manifestations that left few indifferent. Its significance reverberated throughout the nation and the world..
Doom 1: Elon Musk’s salute.
One of the most jarring moments of the inauguration came when Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk addressed the crowd by making a disturbing salute. With his right hand on his chest, Musk extended his arm outward, palm facing down in a gesture that many observers immediately compared to a Nazi salute. Musk, who has previously attracted attention for his far-right sympathies and antisemitic comments, turned around to repeat the gesture in the opposite direction, fueling further debate about his political affiliations.
“My heart goes out to you,” Musk said as he made the gesture. The scene, coupled with his current support for Trump and the MAGA movement ignited international outcry. Left-leaning countries and media outlets moved quickly to condemn, but the damage had already been done. Musk’s actions sent a powerful message about the growing alliance between Silicon Valley billionaires and far-right extremists. His silence in the face of the backlash only deepened the concerns.
With Musk positioned as one of the key figures in the administration, the question on many minds is how far will the influence of ultra-wealthy tech moguls stretch under Trump’s rule?
Doom 2: The evidence of an oligarchy taking shape.
The influence of the billionaire class was more visible than ever before at the inauguration. Key figures from Silicon Valley – Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg and Sundar Pichai – took some of the most exclusive seats, closer to Trump than many of his own cabinet members. These billionaires, who invested hundreds of millions of dollars into Trump’s campaign, were symbolically granted unprecedented access to the new administration.
Musk in particular has gone from a Silicon Valley icon and occasional critic of Trump to one of his most ardent backers. His $250 million support for Trump’s re-election bid was just the tip of the iceberg. Musk was named as head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a role that many fear will cement his grip on power.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a long-time critic of corporate influence in politics, was quick to condemn the spectacle.
“When the three wealthiest men in America sit behind Trump at his inauguration, everyone understands that the billionaire class now controls our government,” he wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “We must fight back.”
The inauguration made it clear: the U.S. has crossed a dangerous line. Many believe the country is now governed by and for the elite undermining the ideals of democracy that were once central to the American identity.
Doom 3: Moving quickly with little restraint.
In his first three days, Trump launched a sweeping series of executive actions aimed at reorienting U.S. government policy across a wide spectrum of issues, from immigration and border security to foreign trade and environmental regulation. His orders tackle topics such as reclassifying immigration as an “invasion” to enable military involvement in enforcement, halting refugee admissions and redefining birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment. These actions were designed to solidify his stance on national security, prioritize aggressive deportation policies and curb legal immigration.
On the international front, Trump pushed for renegotiating trade agreements, including a possible review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China. Domestically, he moved to curtail diversity and inclusion initiatives, roll back environmental protections and freeze federal hiring, while emphasizing the prioritization of energy production, particularly fossil fuels. His directives signaled a bold commitment to his “America First” agenda, marked by his administration’s determination to concentrate executive power, reduce federal oversight and sharply shift U.S. policy rightward, all while setting the stage for legal battles and challenges from opposing forces.
In a striking display of what many see as nascent authoritarianism, or emerging stages of authoritarian governance, Trump’s administration, from day one, is prioritizing his personal vision over the government’s traditional democratic norms. Will the U.S. continue to be a representative democracy? Or will it become an empire, controlled by a single man, with little regard for the will of the people.
Doom 4: Removing websites and shutting out minority voices.
Shortly after the inauguration, a shocking move unfolded. The official White House website, specifically the Spanish-language version, was abruptly shut down, replaced with an error message and a “Go Home” button that redirects visitors to a video montage of Trump’s first term. The move sparked outrage, particularly among Hispanic advocacy groups, who saw it as a blatant attempt to silence the Latino community, one of the most significant voting blocs in the U.S.
Monica Rivera, a Puerto Rican and Cuban communications strategist, expressed her anger in an interview with the Associated Press.
“There are 43 million Latinos who speak Spanish as their first language, and removing access to information directly from the White House draws a distinct line as to who they are serving and more dangerously, signals to the administration’s MAGA base that we as Latinos are ‘other’ and a less significant part of this country,” she said.
By cutting off direct communication with millions of American citizens, the administration seemed to be sending a clear message: loyalty to Trump and his vision was the only currency that mattered.
Doom 5: Pardons.
In one of his first official acts as president, Trump issued pardons to hundreds of individuals involved in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot. For many, these pardons represented a moral low point, as Trump extended clemency to those who had violently attempted to overturn the results of a free and fair election.
Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, among others, was released from prison, prompting jubilant celebrations from his supporters.
“Our president gave my son and all the J6ers their lives back!” Zuny Tarrio, Enrique’s mother, tweeted after her son’s release. “They can live again! Breathe fresh air again! Feel the sunshine again!”
Trump, in a press conference shortly after the pardons were announced, praised the individuals involved, calling their incarceration “inhumane” and unjust. His rhetoric further deepened the divide in the country, as millions of Americans saw these pardons as a betrayal of justice. The message is clear: loyalty to Trump matters more than the rule of law.
Trump’s inauguration was more than just a ceremonial event, it was a harbinger of what’s to come: a presidency driven by billionaire oligarchs, authoritarian impulses and an escalating disregard for democratic norms and civil rights. It was a day that underscored the dangerous future America might face under Trump’s leadership, one where power is concentrated in the hands of a few, and the rest of the country is left to navigate the chaos that follows.
Honorary Boom: Bishop confronts Trump.
The Episcopal bishop of Washington, Mariann Edgar Budde, representing a coalition of religious leaders and social justice advocates, sharply criticized the president and his administration for policies that, according to the church, have deepened divisions in the country, eroded moral values and neglected the needs of marginalized communities. The bishop’s remarks were direct, calling out Trump’s actions, especially regarding immigration, healthcare and social equity.