The new American imperialism

SubscribeThe Economist ProLog inSkip to contentSubscribeThe Economist ProLog inWeekly editionWorld in briefUnited StatesChinaBusinessFinance & economicsEuropeAsiaMiddle EastAmericasArtificial intelligenceCultureCartoons & gamesundefined undefinedSubscribe to The EconomistUnlock unlimited access to all our award-winning journalism, subscriber-only podcasts and newslettersSubscribe to The EconomistUnlock unlimited access to all our award-winning journalism, subscriber-only podcasts and newslettersSubscribeManage accountGift subscriptionsLog outManage accountGift subscriptionsLog outUnited States | From the gilded age to the golden ageDonald Trump is the first president in more than 100 years to call for new American territory—including MarsPhotograph: Getty Images Jan 21st 2025|5 min readTHE TRADITIONAL point of an inaugural address is to transcend the politics of the campaign and draw the country together. Donald Trump’s second inaugural was not that. But it stuck with tradition in other ways—it’s just that the traditions in question were much older.Reuse this contentMore from United StatesThe Trump administration’s big move to limit legal immigrationA new policy restricting green-card applications could wreak havocHow the Supreme Court both checks and empowers Donald TrumpIt blocks his most blatantly illegal acts, but helps him in other waysChecks and Balance newsletter: In defence of America’s elitesJohn Prideaux, our US editor, on primary seasonTulsi Gabbard’s exit weakens MAGA’s anti-war factionHer resignation shows how little influence such voices wield around Donald Trump LexingtonLeftist populism’s next big testIn Maine, Graham Platner is betting centrist and right-leaning voters want economic revolution more than culture warEurope’s first known language is alive in America’s WestA corner of Idaho will forever be north-east Spain