"In 2018, at a rally in Houston, Donald Trump articulated a distinction that was becoming central to the American right. "A globalist is a person that wants the globe to do well," Trump said. This involved "not caring about the country so much." By contrast, he was "a nationalist." "Really, we're not supposed to use that word," Trump said. "You know what I am? I'm a nationalist, O.K.? I'm a nationalist. Nationalist! Nothing wrong. Use that word."
"CNN, in its coverage of the speech, connected it to "the protectionist trade policies he has implemented in an effort to boost domestic manufacturing." This was reasonable-much of Trump's speech had centered on his "America First" economic agenda-and yet the idea of being a nationalist was clearly bigger than that. Trump's nationalism was partly about pride: "For years, you watched as your leaders apologized for America," he told the audience, and "now you have a President who is standing up for America.""
In 2018 at a Houston rally Donald Trump contrasted "globalists"—people who want the globe to do well—with "nationalists" who prioritize the country. He repeatedly proclaimed, "I'm a nationalist," urging supporters to embrace the term. Media coverage linked the label to his protectionist "America First" trade policies, but his nationalism extended beyond economics to pride and a pugilistic posture. He criticized leaders for apologizing for America and promised a president who would stand up for the country. His rhetoric suggested willingness to project American power and evoked associations with ambitious, violent nationalisms of earlier centuries. Observers suspected aides or speechwriters introduced the term to him.
Read at The New Yorker
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