Are we entering a new era? Donald Trump will become US president again in five days’ time. Some experts think it is the start of a new age.
Trump prepares for power as ‘Sun King’
Absolute power: Donald Trump imagined as King Louis XIV (above). Louis was known as the Sun King because he was the centre of gravity around which all of France revolved. He eventually uttered the famous words: “L’état c’est moi”: I am the state.
Glossary
President - In some countries, the leader is called the president.
Donald Trump - An American politician, media personality, and businessman serving as the 47th president of the United States since January 2025. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021.
Louis XIV - A 17th-Century French king who expanded the powers of the French monarchy and turned his country into the greatest power in the world. However, by the end of his long, 72-year reign he had squandered much of this advantage.
Inauguration - The introduction of a new system, or the formal ceremony introducing someone to office (most noticeably the US president).
Mark Zuckerberg - Since founding Facebook as a university student, Zuckerberg has become one of the top ten richest people in the world.
Republican Party - Also known as the Grand Old Party or GOP, it is one of the USA's two major political parties. Its first president was Abraham Lincoln. It sits on the right of the political spectrum.
Elon Musk - A South African-born entrepreneur whose companies have included the online payment service PayPal. He now controls Twitter, renamed 'X'.
Minister - Heads of government departments.
Arrested - Stopped by the police and taken to a police station.
Era - Age or time.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Elite - The richest, most powerful, best-educated or best-trained members of society.
Far-right - A range of ideologies that emphasise social order, racial purity and the elimination of opponents.
Trade wars - When countries try to hurt each other's trade, often by placing restrictions on their imports or making new import taxes.