Description
While American exceptionalism has traditionally framed the United States as a moral, democratic, and providential exemplar for the world, Trump’s nationalist rhetoric and “America First” agenda marked a significant departure from liberal internationalist interpretations. Through an analysis of key speeches, policy documents, and media performances, this paper argues that Trump articulated "MAGA exceptionalism". Rather than a "vindicationalist" or "exemplarist" exceptionalism, Trump's version reasserts U.S. distinctiveness through economic protectionism, border strengthening, and "culture wars" rather than democratic ideals. The paper contends that this recalibration of exceptionalist discourse reflects broader transformations in the global order, where the veneer of American moral superiority has been replaced by a discourse of victimization and decline. By exploring how Trump’s rhetoric mobilized disillusionment with globalization and multilateralism, this research contributes to ongoing debates about American identity, and the future of American leadership in the post-liberal world.
