Expert discusses what to expect at Trump inauguration
Presidential inaugurations frequently are seen as unifiers for the country. Presidents often use their inaugural addresses to set a vision for the administration and inspire the nation to come together.
Virginia Tech political expert Cayce Myers expects Donald Trump's inaugural speech to spotlight his America First agenda and signify a return of the Make America Great Again movement's dominance within U.S. politics.
Myers offers more insights into next week’s inauguration.
The role of corporations
Fortune 500 companies, billionaires, and other firms have pledged millions to the inauguration fund. Tech giants plan to host inauguration parties. It’s a different move for corporations to invest in an inauguration, said Myers.
“The corporate role in the MAGA movement is unique in that MAGA's brand is rooted in anti-elite and anti-establishment rhetoric,” he said. “However, the reach of the movement into corporate support, including donations or alignment, amplifies MAGA's resonance within American society.”
“Corporate support for MAGA serves a dual purpose," he said. "They support the Trump agenda, which may include lowered taxes and deregulation, while also hedging their bets against political backlash from many consumers who have taken a rightward and populist shift in 2024. This support, however, is not without risk as MAGA values are highly divisive and alienating to many Americans.”
Inviting foreign leaders
From Chinese president Xi Jinping to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the Trump administration has extended inauguration invitations to various foreign leaders.
It’s not a typical invitation, and there are pros and cons to such a guest list, Myers said.
“The benefits of foreign leader attendance are rooted in the symbolism of the visual of strong alliances, showcasing leadership, and highlighting shared values,” he said. “There is also the added benefit of diplomatic momentum to improve relationships with key leaders. The drawback is that the presence of foreign leaders overshadows the domestic focus of the event and could lead to perceptions of favoritism for certain countries.”
“Foreign leader attendance changes the symbolic purpose of an inauguration from a domestic democratic tradition to one which emphasizes geopolitical messaging focusing on alliances and exclusions.”
About Myers
Cayce Myers is a professor of public relations and director of graduate studies at the School of Communication at Virginia Tech. His work focuses on media history, political communication, and laws that affect public relations practice. He is the author of “Public Relations History: Theory, Practice, and Profession” and “Profession and Money in Politics: Campaign Fundraising in the 2020 Presidential Election.” Read more here.
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