This is how the international press reacts

//

Lerato Khumalo

International press reviews

Inaugural speech was “dystopian and vindictive”

Updated on January 21, 2025 – 5:32 p.mReading time: 4 minutes

Enlarge the image

Donald Trump: The media commented differently on his inauguration. (Source: IMAGO/Jim LoScalzo – Pool via CNP/imago)

Follow news

After the inauguration, things get serious: Trump begins to transform the USA. His inaugural speech sets the course for the next four years. Internationally, reactions are mixed.

Donald Trump moves into the White House for the second time. International media produced numerous headlines for the inaugural speech of the 47th US President. t-online shows a selection.

The British one “Guardians” paints a bleak picture of Trump’s second term: “Trump’s message was blunt: enemies at home and abroad, beware. Where Roosevelt once inspired hope, Trump spread fear.” Trump is trying to portray himself as a visionary who is ushering in a new era in the USA. “But no one should be deceived by his speech.”

His previous term in office exposed him as a politician who “hides a fragile ego by bullying others.” He has already brought American democracy to the brink of the abyss.

“The Times” from Great Britain praised the clarity of Trump’s speech. He used his inauguration to make it clear that he wanted to make full use of his far-reaching mandate to transform the USA. The newspaper stated: “This was not a technocratic power program, but an unfettered ‘America first’ agenda from an empowered president who returns to the White House intent on using his power to the fullest.”

The “Liberation” from France writes about the worries of watching the inauguration: “Many of us sat in front of the screen feeling like we were caught in a time warp, desperately searching for the button that would stop the nightmare – because it is a nightmare “We were able to end ourselves here.”

The Russian one is less negative “Izvestia”. But it is difficult to understand what it means when Trump speaks of the beginning of America’s golden age. His speech was full of contradictions: “He wants to go down in history as a peacemaker, but promises to build the ‘strongest army in the world’.”

Trump touched on many topics but forgot the most important thing, the newspaper writes: “The whole world was waiting for Trump’s inauguration speech because of his promise to end the conflict in Ukraine, but the president didn’t talk about that.”

“Fasten your seatbelts. The first day of Donald Trump’s second term as President of the United States was by turns fascinating, funny and frightening,” writes the “Sydney Morning Herald” from Australia. “The leading political showman of the 21st century” gave a good outlook for the next four years.

“He talked about planting a US flag on Mars, but missed giving his first lady a kiss on the cheek because his wife’s strangely funereal-like hat was distracting. He then spent hours discussing his path back to power and his immediate plans to remake America in his own image.”

Trump inaugurationEnlarge the image
Shortly before Trump’s inauguration: Melania Trump’s hat makes it difficult for her husband Donald to kiss her on the cheek. (Source: Saul Loeb/POOL AFP/AP/dpa/dpa-bilder)

The Italian newspaper “La Stampa” has described Trump’s inaugural address as “dystopian and vindictive.” It was characterized by “threats and insults” against Joe Biden, who was sitting just a few meters away. In addition, Trump painted a picture of a “fictitious America as a decadent nation” and at the same time promised to “solve every single American problem immediately. Without delay.” The newspaper drew parallels to his first term in 2017, describing it as “dark” and full of “angry bluster and untruths.” His appearance was reminiscent of an “American Orbán”.

The Polish one “Gazeta Wyborcza” has described Trump’s second term as an opportunity for Europe. “In the end, Donald Trump’s rule could prove to be a blessing for Europe.” The newspaper argued that the EU has often moved closer together in times of crisis and therefore will not, as some fear, disintegrate under Trump. “No, Europe will not fall apart in the next four years, but will consolidate even more.” Previous challenges have shown: “Our shaken and battered community responded to the crises and became stronger.”

For the US “Wall Street Journal” The speech was “remarkable because it combined the best of America’s past with ambitions for the future.” This connection is crucial for a revitalization of America. “It’s said these days that US democracy is under threat, but if you’re allowed to leave after Monday, that may be less the case than many people think.”