In his first term, President Donald Trump repeatedly expressed admiration for Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States. Now, William McKinley, the 25th president, has emerged as Donald Trump’s new hero for several reasons that align with Trump’s political agenda and vision for his second term.
Yes, Trump appears to idolize McKinley now and his adoration has become increasingly evident in Trump’s recent statements and policy proposals.
Trump praised McKinley for making “our country very rich through tariffs and through talent.” This aligns with Trump’s own enthusiasm for tariffs as an economic tool. McKinley was known for his protectionist policies, particularly the McKinley Tariff of 1890, which raised import duties to protect American manufacturers.
McKinley presided over a significant expansion of American territory, which appeals to Trump’s ambitions for increasing America’s global footprint. During McKinley’s presidency the United States acquired the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico as a result of the Spanish-American War in 1898. Hawaii was annexed and the groundwork was laid for the construction of the Panama Canal.
Trump has expressed interest in expanding American control, particularly over Greenland and the Panama Canal.
Trump lauded McKinley for “heroically” leading the nation to victory in the Spanish-American War, which aligns with Trump’s desire to project American strength on the global stage.
Trump has taken symbolic actions to honor McKinley. He signed an executive order to rename Denali, North America’s highest peak, back to Mount McKinley and he praised McKinley in his 2025 inaugural address.
McKinley consolidated Republican power at the end of the 19th century, which may also appeal to Trump’s own political ambitions.
While some view Trump as a populist, his admiration for McKinley reveals a more complex political ideology. McKinley was actually opposed by the original Populist movement of the late 19th century. This alignment suggests that Trump’s brand of “populism” may be more closely tied to protectionist economic policies and territorial expansion rather than grassroots populist movements.
It’s worth noting that Trump’s embrace of McKinley has faced criticism, particularly from Alaska’s senators and indigenous groups who oppose renaming Denali. Additionally, some historians point out that McKinley’s territorial expansions came with significant human costs, particularly in the Philippines.
In conclusion, Trump’s newfound admiration for McKinley appears to be rooted in shared policy interests, particularly regarding tariffs, territorial expansion, and projecting American power abroad. This historical parallel provides insight into Trump’s vision for his second term and his approach to both domestic and foreign policy.