Everyone has an opinion. That’s just the world we live in now. When Donald Trump stood on the Capitol steps for his second inauguration on January 20, 2025, the air wasn’t just cold; it was electric with a kind of friction you could feel in your teeth. Whether you were cheering in a red hat or protesting in the streets of D.C., the reaction to Trump’s speech was anything but quiet.
It was loud. It was messy. Honestly, it was a bit of a Rorschach test for the entire planet.
If you listened to the supporters at Carmine’s or gathered on the National Mall, they heard a "rebirth." They saw a man saved by God—his own words, by the way—to lead the country into a "Golden Age." But walk a few blocks over to the "People’s March" or talk to the Massachusetts congressional delegation, and you’d hear a completely different story. Congressman Seth Moulton called it the "darkest inaugural address ever."
Funny how two people can hear the same words and live in two different universes.
The "Golden Age" vs. "American Carnage" 2.0
Trump’s 2025 address didn’t shy away from the hits. He leaned heavily into the "failed nation" narrative he spent the last four years building. He called January 20 "Liberation Day."
✨ Don't miss: Economics Related News Articles: What the 2026 Headlines Actually Mean for Your Wallet
Basically, he framed his return as a rescue mission.
He didn't just talk about policy; he went for the throat on culture. He announced there are only two genders—male and female. He promised to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and flip Denali back to Mount McKinley. For his base, this was the "sanity" they’d been craving. For his critics, it was a "grievance-filled diatribe."
What the Markets Actually Did
While the pundits were arguing about tone, Wall Street was busy refreshing their terminals. The reaction to Trump’s speech in the financial sector was surprisingly nuanced. You’d think the threat of a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada would send everything into a tailspin immediately.
It didn't. At least, not at first.
🔗 Read more: Why a Man Hits Girl for Bullying Incidents Go Viral and What They Reveal About Our Breaking Point
- AI and Space Stocks: These guys went to the moon. Literally. When Trump mentioned "Manifest Destiny into the stars" and planting a flag on Mars, companies like Intuitive Machines and Rocket Lab USA saw double-digit surges.
- The Crypto Crowd: Bitcoin hit six figures shortly after, riding the wave of "Liberation Day" rhetoric.
- EV Stocks: Not so lucky. Rivian and Lucid took a hit when Trump talked about ending "market distortions" (aka subsidies) for electric vehicles.
Goldman Sachs actually called the speech "more benign than expected" regarding China. They were looking for a universal tariff hammer. Instead, they got a "drill, baby, drill" energy emergency declaration. The markets liked the certainty; they hated the trade war whispers.
The Panama Canal and the World’s "Huh?" Moment
One of the weirdest parts of the reaction to Trump's speech came from abroad. Trump called the 1977 transfer of the Panama Canal a "foolish gift" and hinted at "taking it back" because of Chinese influence.
Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino, wasn't having it.
He fired back on X (formerly Twitter) almost immediately. He reminded the world that the canal is Panamanian and will stay that way. It was a sharp reminder that "America First" often bumps into "Every Other Country First" pretty quickly.
💡 You might also like: Why are US flags at half staff today and who actually makes that call?
Meanwhile, over in Europe, the vibe was "unusual fear." Former Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras told reporters that the EU commission is terrified because they don't know who’s going to "bend the knee" and who’s going to face the tariffs.
A Tale of Two Speeches?
Interestingly, some observers, like Rep. Jake Auchincloss, felt like they heard two different people speaking. One version was the "megalomaniac" Trump—angry, vindicated, and obsessed with the assassination attempt in Butler. The other was the "presidential" Trump—the one written by staff, trying to sound like a unifier.
This tension is likely going to be the theme of the next four years. Is it the man or the administration?
What This Means for Your Wallet
If you’re trying to navigate the fallout of the reaction to Trump’s speech, you have to look past the headlines. The rhetoric is designed to stir the pot, but the executive orders are what move the needle.
- Watch the Border Orders: The declaration of a national emergency at the southern border is going to redirect billions. If you’re in construction or defense contracting, pay attention.
- Energy Prices: With a "national energy emergency" and "drill, baby, drill" back in the lexicon, keep an eye on oil and gas stocks. The administration is betting big on lowering costs through production.
- The Tariff Clock: February 1 is the date everyone is circling for Mexico and Canada. If those 25% tariffs actually land, the cost of your next truck or your morning avocado is going up.
Honestly, the biggest takeaway from the reaction to Trump’s speech is that the "wait and see" period is over. The "Golden Age" or the "Darkest Era"—whichever one you believe in—is officially here.
To stay ahead of the coming changes, start by reviewing your investment portfolio for exposure to international trade and EV sectors. If you're a business owner, now is the time to audit your supply chain for any dependencies on Mexican or Canadian imports before the February 1 tariff deadline.