CBS News: Is Trump Ushing In a New Gilded Age?

President Trump speaks to Davos: “Three days ago, I took the oath of office and we began the GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA.” pic.twitter.com/jESnSDrx9J

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 23, 2025

??TRUMP: THE U.S. WAS WEALTHIEST BETWEEN 1870-1913

“Our country was at its, at its richest from, from 1870 to 1913.

That was when we were the richest, relatively speaking.

We were the richest during that period of time. That was tariffs from other countries.”

Source: Sky… https://t.co/cZSim3eq5Z pic.twitter.com/STwkqqi1kQ

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 22, 2025

The most striking parallel to the Gilded Age to me isn’t merely rich industrialists like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos using their fortunes to influence our politics. It is the national U-turn from the moral fanaticism of Reconstruction on race to the era of materialism that succeeded it. In a few short years, the country shifted from arguing over blacks in the South to issues like the tariff and free silver.

Axios:

“President Trump’s made-for-TV inauguration gave a taste of a blossoming new Gilded Age in Washington.

Why it matters: In a town whose residents overwhelmingly voted against Trump, the new Beltway elites are ensconcing themselves in their Cybertrucks, parties with the 1% and an expanding portfolio of extravagant restaurants and clubs. …

Zoom in: The table is already set. Look no further than restaurateur Stephen Starr, whose $16 million buildout of Osteria Mozza in Georgetown is attracting the likes of Jeff Bezos. For his next project, Starr plans “to resurrect a gilded era of Washington power dining with the reimagining of The Occidental,” replete with tableside martini service — “his most glamorous, decadent D.C. restaurant yet,” per his reps.

As to why he’s channeling Gilded Age glam: “People want to get dressed and feel fancy without being boring and stuffy,” says Starr, who plans the Occidental opening in the next few weeks. “Even if you’re 30, you don’t want to go to the same old hipster Brooklyn places.” …”

Apparently, some people in Washington even want to return to dressing up!