George Will: Why Trump’s inaugural address will be 'remembered' as 'worse than 59 others'

20 January

Eight years after giving his first inaugural address, President Donald Trump offered a second one that, like the first, heavily emphasized grievance. MAGA Republicans are applauding his return to the White House, while a combination of Democrats and Never Trump conservatives are saying they dread the next four years.

One of Trump's outspoken critics on the right is veteran Washington Post columnist George Will, now 83. In a scathing column published on Trump's first day back in the White House, Will slammed his inaugural address as historically bad.

"Donald Trump does not deal in felicities," Will argues. "His second inaugural will be remembered for being worse than 59 others, including his first, about 'stealing,' 'ravage' and 'carnage.' It was memorable for its staggering inappropriateness."

Trump, Will complains, spent too much time talking about himself and not enough time talking about the United States on the whole.

"Inaugurations should be solemn yet celebratory components of America's civic liturgy," the Never Trump conservative writes. "Instead, we heard on Monday that because of 'corrupt' and 'horrible' 'betrayals' by others, 'the pillars of our society' are 'in complete disrepair.' The challenges will be 'annihilated,' not because God blesses America, but because God chose him."

Trump's inaugural address, Will adds, "replicated what have become the tawdriest events on our governmental calendar: State of the Union addresses."

"The speech was a reminder of why many Americans watch the political class in action the way they swallow an emetic: only when they cannot avoid it," Will laments. "This is partly because the new president persistently challenges good taste."

George Will's full Washington Post column is available at this link (subscription required).

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