Here's the key to Trump's foreign policy: What would McKinley do?

Salon - Mar 23rd, 2025
Open on Salon

In the early months of Donald Trump's second administration, the United States has undergone a seismic shift in its geopolitical stance, leading to significant economic uncertainty and global instability. Trump's policies have resulted in deteriorating relationships with longstanding allies such as Canada and Europe, while simultaneously seeking closer ties with controversial figures like Vladimir Putin. This abrupt pivot has left the international community grappling with the implications of Trump's actions, as traditional alliances fracture and economic policies aim to echo the protectionist measures of the late 19th century.

The return to Gilded Age imperialism under Trump's leadership is characterized by a focus on American expansionism and increased tariffs reminiscent of President William McKinley's era. Trump's admiration for the era's economic strategies, such as high tariffs and territorial acquisitions, underlines his vision of 'making America great again' by reinstating past American dominance. This approach raises concerns about the potential for increased geopolitical tensions and economic isolation, challenging the norms of modern international relations and highlighting the cyclical nature of historical imperial ambitions.

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RATING

4.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article presents an engaging narrative that connects historical events with current foreign policy decisions, offering readers a thought-provoking perspective on the Trump administration's strategies. Its strengths lie in its ability to capture attention and provoke discussion by drawing bold parallels between Trump's policies and historical imperialism.

However, the article's reliance on speculative claims and the lack of balanced perspectives or robust evidence limits its accuracy and impact. While it raises important questions about the implications of Trump's foreign policy, the analysis could benefit from a more nuanced approach that incorporates diverse viewpoints and data-driven conclusions.

Overall, the article serves as a starting point for discussion on the historical context of American foreign policy, but readers should approach it with a critical eye, considering the need for further verification and a more comprehensive examination of the issues at hand.

RATING DETAILS

5
Accuracy

The story makes several bold claims about the Trump administration's foreign policy, drawing parallels with the Gilded Age and William McKinley's presidency. It asserts that Trump's policies are leading to economic instability and geopolitical uncertainty, which are significant claims that require verification. The article's discussion of Trump's admiration for the Gilded Age and his tariff policies is grounded in some factual basis, as Trump has indeed expressed interest in protectionist measures. However, the article's assertion that the U.S. is now the largest source of global instability is a subjective interpretation that lacks concrete evidence or comparative analysis.

The story's claim about Trump undermining alliances with Canada and Europe in favor of Russia is a serious allegation that needs more detailed evidence and context. The narrative of Trump's neo-imperial ambitions, including attempts to purchase Greenland, is presented without sufficient evidence or direct quotes from Trump that explicitly support these ambitions. The historical comparison to McKinley's era and the implication of potential war crimes are speculative and require more substantial evidence to be considered accurate.

Overall, while the article touches on real historical events and some aspects of Trump's policies, it often lacks the precision and source support needed to substantiate its more dramatic claims. The need for further verification of many points suggests a moderate level of accuracy.

4
Balance

The article predominantly presents a critical perspective on Trump's foreign policy, drawing parallels with historical imperialism and suggesting negative outcomes. It does not offer a balanced view, as it lacks representation of any supportive perspectives on Trump's policies or any potential positive impacts they might have.

The language used in the article is heavily loaded, with terms like "neo-imperial ambitions" and "ethnic cleansing" that suggest a strong bias against Trump's administration. This choice of language can alienate readers who might hold a different view or who are looking for a more nuanced discussion of foreign policy.

Important perspectives, such as those from Trump's supporters or from analysts who might interpret his policies differently, are missing. This creates an imbalance in the narrative, potentially skewing the reader's understanding of the situation without presenting counterarguments or alternative viewpoints.

6
Clarity

The article is well-written in terms of language and structure, with a clear narrative flow that guides the reader through the historical comparisons and current policy analysis. The use of historical anecdotes and vivid language makes the article engaging and accessible.

However, the clarity is sometimes compromised by the heavy use of speculative language and assumptions that are not clearly supported by evidence. This can lead to confusion about what is factually accurate and what is the author's opinion or interpretation.

Overall, while the article is clear in its presentation, the lack of evidence-based conclusions and the speculative nature of some claims can detract from its overall clarity.

3
Source quality

The article does not provide clear references or citations to support its claims, which undermines its credibility. The author, Mark Lawrence Schrad, is introduced with his credentials, but the article lacks a diverse range of sources or expert opinions to substantiate its arguments.

The reliance on historical parallels and the author's interpretations without citing contemporary sources or providing data weakens the article's authority. There is a lack of direct quotes from current policymakers or experts in international relations, which could have added depth and reliability to the discussion.

Overall, the article's source quality is low due to its heavy reliance on the author's perspective and historical conjecture, rather than a well-rounded examination of the topic supported by a variety of credible sources.

4
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of disclosing the basis for its claims and the methodology behind its analysis. While it draws on historical parallels, it does not clearly explain how these parallels are directly applicable to the current administration's policies.

There is no discussion of potential conflicts of interest or biases that might influence the author's perspective, which is crucial for readers to understand the context of the analysis. The absence of explicit references or citations further obscures the basis for many of the article's claims.

Without clear explanations of how conclusions were reached or the sources of information, the article does not provide readers with the necessary transparency to fully assess its arguments.

Sources

  1. https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2025/03/07/trump-administration-foreign-policy-tracker-march/
  2. https://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=390325%3Futm_source%3Dpolitipage
  3. https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/trumps-second-term-foreign-policy-highly-centralized-and-highly-personal/
  4. http://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=370851http%3A%2F%2Facecomments.mu.nu%2F%3Fpost%3D370851
  5. https://www.stimson.org/2025/testing-assumptions-about-us-foreign-policy-in-2025/