Why Donald Trump Is Obsessed with William McKinley
Briefly

The article discusses Donald Trump's complex historical identity and his admiration for Gilded Age figures, especially President William McKinley. It highlights Trump's alignment with tariffs reminiscent of that era, illustrating his divergence from modern political norms. Trump's historical references often lack precision, as he intertwines elements from different timelines and figures, including Jackson and Lincoln. The piece underscores how Trump's political motivations reflect a nostalgic yearning for a past defined by American economic dominance and a strict adherence to nationalist policies.
On Day One of Trump's second Administration, he restored the name of the tallest mountain in North America to Mt. McKinley. "President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent," Trump explained.
Historically, Trump oscillates between conservatism and accelerationism, drawing from diverse influences like the America First movement and figures like Lincoln and Jackson.
Read at The New Yorker
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