Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
20 January 2025 |15:30 CAT
2 min read

Donald Trump is set to be inaugurated today, marking the beginning of his second term as President of the United States. According to Brooks Spector, a seasoned commentator, the ceremony is scheduled to take place at 12 noon Eastern Standard Time, which translates to 7 PM South African time. “It usually happens almost exactly on the dot,” Spector noted, explaining that the event will occur in the rotunda of the Capitol building rather than outdoors due to inclement weather.

This change in venue means the usual massive crowds on the National Mall will be replaced by a few hundred attendees inside the Capitol. Reflecting on the atmosphere in the U.S., he remarked, “People kind of know what they are getting and what to expect, but there are likely to be differences in the second Trump presidency.”

Trump enters his term with narrow majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, which Spector noted could help push some proposals into law. “He won by 49% of the popular vote, which is not exactly a full mandate,” he said, pointing out the divided support among Americans.

Prominent Silicon Valley figures like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel are also expected to gain influence in Washington. However, Spector predicted tension between Trump and Musk, stating, “I cannot imagine that Elon Musk and Donald Trump will coexist easily in the next four years without much conflict.”

Trump has already hinted at significant policy reversals, particularly targeting executive orders from the Biden administration. Speaking at a victory rally, he promised to repeal orders he disagreed with on his first day in office. Spector explained that while Trump could undo some measures, others would require more effort. “An executive order is always rooted somehow in actual law. You cannot just extricate them all, root and branch, with one sweeping motion of your hands,” he said.

Key issues such as tariffs, deportations, and even controversial apps like TikTok could dominate early executive actions, Spector suggested. “You do not anger everybody all at once right from the beginning without getting some sort of a consequence,” he warned.

On the Gaza ceasefire deal, Spector predicted a complex role for Trump. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly secured guarantees from Trump allowing a potential resumption of military action in Gaza. However, he believes Trump will maintain pressure on both sides. “The Israelis think they want a victory, but it is an awkward kind of victory because they’re only going to get their hostages back a couple at a time over the next number of weeks,” he observed, noting ongoing challenges in hostage negotiations and regional dynamics.

On a hopeful note, Spector stated: “Hopefully, God willing, it will move forward.”

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and Brooks Spector, a renowned commentator for South African and international media and an insightful voice in geopolitics, here.