What if in Trump’s Inaugural Address, the world were to witness one of the most profound transformations in recent political history? Trump proving that even the most polarizing figures can surprise us—and that America, for all its skepticism, is still willing to give second chances. As he continues to redefine himself, maybe he’s rewriting the story of a nation’s second chance, too.
It was a frosty January 2025 morning in Washington, D.C., when the unthinkable happened. The crowd gathered for the second inauguration of Donald J. Trump, bracing for four years of grit and maybe even retribution, given his well-documented grievances. Yet, just as the sun broke through the clouds, so did a new vision—one that would have even Lincoln and Kennedy shaking their heads in amazement. In a twist of twists, President Trump delivered a speech that promised a “Reborn American” agenda aimed at uniting the nation, quelling divisions, and yes, even inspiring service and compassion.
The inaugural address began with a line that caught everyone off guard. Trump quoted Abraham Lincoln’s call to “the better angels of our nature” and John F. Kennedy’s famed challenge, “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” Then, with a confidence that seemed to knock his critics off balance, he declared, “My fellow Americans, it’s time for a new chapter. Let’s make America great again by making America good again.” Yes, you heard that right: good again.
What followed was a set of initiatives so progressive in their essence, so uncharacteristic of Trump’s previous platform, that one had to wonder if a holiday miracle had occurred. And at the heart of it all was his big reveal—the “Better Angels Initiative,” a national campaign to rekindle kindness, empathy, and even, dare we say, love. According to Trump, it’s time to leave the division and rancor behind and, as he put it, “love each other, bigly.”
This new initiative isn’t your average PSA campaign; it’s Trump-branded, meaning it’s got a reality show built right in. Enter Angel Apprentice, a new series where contestants compete to perform acts of kindness across the nation. They’ll do everything from rescuing animals to helping rebuild communities, all for a shot at prime-time glory where the winner can spread their message of unity nationwide.
Skeptics rolled their eyes, calling it more “performative populism” than an actual solution. Yet, others saw a spark of genuine outreach and optimism. And with millions already pledging to participate in local Better Angels workshops, maybe Trump is onto something. After all, if there’s one thing he understands, it’s the value of spectacle, and this one is proving too intriguing to ignore.
If the Better Angels Initiative raised eyebrows, Trump’s next reveal nearly tipped folks out of their seats. Invoking JFK’s “Ask Not” speech, he called on Americans to step up for the nation’s betterment through public service. “It’s time for all of us to pitch in,” he proclaimed. “We’re going to rebuild infrastructure, reform education, and make healthcare affordable. And we’re going to do it together.”
Dubbed the “Ask-Not Challenge,” this plan encourages citizens to volunteer locally, mentor youth, and support small businesses. Trump introduced a new national service program, the “Kennedy Corps,” which offers young people opportunities in education, healthcare, and environmental conservation. Some say it’s a wink at bipartisanship; others note it as an obvious pivot for a man looking to leave an imprint beyond Twitter.
But regardless of the motivations, the Ask-Not Challenge is stirring people. In local communities from Boston to Boise, folks are pledging to give back. It’s not lost on anyone that this vision bears little resemblance to Trump’s first term. Some loyalists see it as his chance to rewrite history with a legacy of leadership and goodwill—transforming from bulldozer to builder.
Now, in what might be the most surprising pivot of all, Trump revisited immigration. Instead of the hardline rhetoric that defined his first term, he spoke about a “renewed promise” of the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” There were audible gasps. The words felt so out of step with his past stances, but here he was, promising to expand refugee resettlement and to treat asylum seekers with dignity. In one fell swoop, Trump seemed to be rebranding himself from a builder of walls to a bridger of divides.
Perhaps he’s realized that turning away immigrants isn’t a sustainable stance, or maybe he’s trying to redefine his legacy as a welcoming and compassionate leader. Whatever the reasoning, Trump’s shift is undeniable. He pledged humane treatment, a streamlined citizenship pathway, and an expanded refugee program. It was a stunning turn of events, the sort that has even the most seasoned journalists reaching for new adjectives.
No one saw this pivot coming. The narrative that had emerged in the months prior painted Trump as angry and aggrieved, gearing up for a second term aimed at revenge. Even his closest aides reportedly braced for more of the “fire and fury” approach. So what happened?
Well, theories abound. Some say he had an epiphany on one of his endless golf outings, where the quiet contemplation of sand traps led him to see his softer side. Others muse about a sudden recognition of mortality. And still others believe he simply realized that legacy is everything. After all, a statesman Trump may be far more enduring in the history books than the showman Trump.
Supporters were euphoric. “This is the Trump I always knew was there!” one MAGA-hat-wearing devotee exclaimed. “He’s finally showing his true colors!” Even some skeptics found themselves wondering if this was the long game Trump had planned all along—a bid to emerge as a unifying figure with surprising depth.
And, of course, the skeptics held their ground. “Is this some kind of elaborate prank?” pondered a stunned commentator on MSNBC. “Could this really be the same man who, eight years ago, promised to shake up everything?” But as the Better Angels Initiative began rolling out in community after community, and as Trump’s call for public service gained traction, doubts started to wane.
In just his first 100 days, Trump’s initiatives saw volunteers flooding local charities, cities beautified by community work, and his reality TV twist on kindness gracing the airwaves with Angel Apprentice. And even the critics were forced to admit that maybe, just maybe, the man who once ruled Twitter with barbs had shifted his tone to harmony.
Will this Reborn American agenda last? Is this Trump’s true legacy, or just a convenient facelift for an unpredictable statesman? Time will tell. But one thing is clear: this is a legacy play of grand proportions, and Trump isn’t leaving anything to chance.
If this is real, the world may witness one of the most profound transformations in recent political history. Trump is proving that even the most polarizing figures can surprise us—and that America, for all its skepticism, is still willing to give second chances. As he continues to redefine himself, maybe he’s rewriting the story of a nation’s second chance, too.
And in his words, “It’s going to be yuge.”
TONY CASTRO, the former award-winning Los Angeles columnist and author, is a writer-at-large and the national political writer for LAMonthly. org. He is the author of the forthcoming novel The Book of Marilyn. He can be reached at tony@tonycastro.com.
