Inauguration of U.S. President Trump

President Trump’s second inaugural address perpetuated a national myth that has hindered America’s progress. He proclaimed the U.S. “history’s greatest civilization,” despite its significant inequality, even among Western democracies. Furthermore, despite a narrow election victory, he asserted national unity behind his agenda.

However, a notable consensus exists: widespread pessimism regarding the American Dream. A WSJ/NORC poll revealed that only 36% believe hard work guarantees success and upward mobility, a sharp decline from 2012’s 52%.

This despair isn’t solely due to trade deals, corporate power, or government failures. It stems from a deeper issue: the erosion of the national narrative surrounding opportunity, ingrained in culture, policy, and civic life.

Historically, the American Dream, for some, represented social mobility through hard work. From the Pilgrims to today’s gig economy, the narrative intertwined hard work with destiny and success with moral worth.

This narrative, however, fosters shame around struggle. America’s complex public assistance programs exemplify this. A 2020 GAO audit showed that thousands die annually waiting for disability benefits, highlighting the system’s deliberate obstacles. Dr. Heather Hahn notes that these burdens test deservingness, assuming only the truly needy will persevere.

Meanwhile, those struggling financially are often depicted as lacking ambition. Former Representative Matt Gaetz, for example, opposed anti-poverty programs, arguing that hardworking Americans shouldn’t support those he deemed unproductive.

Similarly, individuals burdened by student debt are frequently portrayed negatively, rather than acknowledging the diverse circumstances leading to such debt. Senator Ted Cruz’s characterizations exemplify this bias. Conversely, successful individuals are celebrated as virtuous.

Hillary Clinton highlighted this disparity in 2016, noting that she won regions representing two-thirds of America’s GDP, suggesting a disconnect between economic success and the prevailing narrative.

While the opportunity narrative remains largely unchanged, the American experience has shifted. Over 45 years, the U.S. economy doubled, but worker productivity increased significantly while wages grew only 29% (according to the Economic Policy Institute), with real wages declining for many. Medical debt is rampant, and baby formula is a common shoplifted item. A Brookings Institution study indicates that a substantial portion of jobs are low-wage.

Nakitta Long, a single mother with a Master’s degree, exemplifies this struggle, highlighting the difficulty of finding sufficient employment.

This disillusionment has fueled President Trump’s return to power, illustrating how societal frustrations can easily ignite unrest.

Adapted excerpt from by Adam Chandler. Reprinted by permission of Pantheon Books, an imprint of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Copyright (c) 2025 by Adam Chandler.