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'
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.
Early Americans once thought about calling their presidentIn some countries, the leader is called the president. "His Elective Majesty".
Now, some think the US has its first president-king in Donald TrumpAn American television personality who became US president from 2016 to 2020, and will become president again in January 2025..
Some compare Trump to another famous ruler: Louis XIVA 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. of France, or the Sun King. Under Louis' rule, all power came from closeness to the king.
Some say the same is true of the Trump world. In recent months, billionaires have spent time and money trying to become close to him. Jeff Bezos has donated money to Trump's inaugurationThe introduction of a new system, or the formal ceremony introducing someone to office (most noticeably the US president). . Mark ZuckerbergSince founding Facebook as a university student, Zuckerberg has become one of the top ten richest people in the world. has announced his company will be ruled in a new, more Trump-like, way.
Louis also angered many by raising low-born outsiders into positions of power.
In the same way, Trump has hired people from outside the Republican PartyAlso 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., most notably Elon MuskA South African-born entrepreneur whose companies have included the online payment service PayPal. He now controls Twitter, renamed 'X'..
Yet the favour of a king, once lost, is lost forever. Louis XIV's first finance ministerHeads of government departments. was arrestedStopped by the police and taken to a police station. without warning and sentenced to life in prison. Some wonder if Musk will go the same way.
All of which suggests, for certain experts, that we are at the end of an eraAge or time. . The time of democracyA system of government based on the idea of rule by the people. and an open, international-looking world is over.
Instead, the 21st Century is a time of eliteThe richest, most powerful, best-educated or best-trained members of society. rulers, far-rightA range of ideologies that emphasise social order, racial purity and the elimination of opponents. politics, closed borders and trade warsWhen countries try to hurt each other's trade, often by placing restrictions on their imports or making new import taxes. .
Are we entering a new era?
Yes! The world has always gone through different ages. Trump is the start of a new era: one in which nations look inwards rather than outwards towards the world.
No! Most countries have never had a free, open age. The west is simply now in the same boat as many other countries: with all-powerful rulers and traditional, tightly-controlled life for ordinary people.
President - In some countries, the leader is called the president.
Donald Trump - An American television personality who became US president from 2016 to 2020, and will become president again in January 2025.
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.
Trump prepares for power as ‘Sun King’

Glossary
President - In some countries, the leader is called the president.
Donald Trump - An American television personality who became US president from 2016 to 2020, and will become president again in January 2025.
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.