Mid-Century America Nostalgia: The Myth of the Golden Era
Donald Trump’s return to office has been branded by his administration as the beginning of a new “Golden Age,” evoking a seemingly insurmountable support for a “back to old times” mid-century America — a time often glamorized for its prosperity, booming economy, and social stability. But that idealized version of the 1950s was never a reality for all Americans. It was a golden era largely reserved for White Americans, while many others were excluded from its promises.
The 1950s were undeniably prosperous — wartime manufacturing had matured the U.S. economy, and with much of Europe and Asia rebuilding from the wreckage of World War II, America stood unrivaled in industrial power. Wages were high, unemployment was low, and a broad middle class began to emerge. Yet, this prosperity was not universally shared. Segregation remained the law in much of the country, as the Civil Rights Movement was still in its premature stages. Women were largely pushed out of economic leadership and into rigid gender roles, and Cold War paranoia fueled the Red Scare — a wave of fear and intimidation that targeted anyone deemed un-American.
The Gilded & Golden Parallels
Historians and political scientists also argue that Trump’s vision resembles not a revival of the 1950s, but a return to the Gilded Age — a period from the 1870s to early 1900s marked by opulence for the few and hardship for the many. The term, coined by Mark Twain, reflects an era where wealth and industrial growth gilded over deep societal cracks: political corruption, corporate monopolies, and vast inequality.
That era’s “robber barons” — industrialists like Rockefeller and Carnegie — shaped policy behind the scenes. Today’s tech titans, many of whom benefited from government subsidies and contracts, echo that same influence. Elon Musk, for example, mirrors Gilded Age industrialists not just in wealth, but in political proximity and public sway.
Presidential Echoes
Trump’s tariff-heavy trade policies also draw a direct line to the era of 25th President McKinley, another hallmark of the Gilded Age. Like McKinley’s infamous tariff hikes, Trump’s trade moves — targeting imports from China, Mexico, and Canada — threaten to raise consumer prices, especially on food staples. Trump’s trajectory could follow a similar path, as McKinley’s tariffs triggered political backlash and economic disruption.
Who Benefits From Trump’s Agenda?
So, is this really a golden age — or just gold-shaded glasses? While Trump “promises” prosperity, growing inequality, unchecked corporate power, and a reshaped economy suggest that these promises aren’t meant for the average American. Instead, they seem tailored for the wealthy — and for the small segment of white Americans willing to overlook corruption and inequality to maintain power.
Good night and Good luck.
