The phrase, ‘Make America Relevant Again’ (MARA) slipped into my thoughts recently, while participating in a conversation hosted by the Jindal Global University. Unlike the ubiquitous ‘Make America Great Again’ (MAGA), tied firmly to Donald Trump’s political brand, MARA to me felt fresher, less worn, yet equally loaded. It suggests a nation adrift, no longer the uncontested global titan it once was, needing a jolt to reclaim its place.
Unlike MAGA, which Trump trademarked in 2012 (though Ronald Reagan beat him to a version in 1980), the phrase “Make America Relevant Again” or (MARA) emerges to me as a provocative twist on past political slogans, suggesting a nation, definitely America, that has lost its global standing and needs revitalisation. China’s economic ascent, Europe’s pivot to self-reliance, and American political paralysis all whisper that relevance isn’t what it used to be.
So what could MARA mean in a Trump context? His policies, past and present, offer clues. MAGA was about nostalgia, a hazy return to a “great” past. MARA feels more urgent to me, a demand to matter now! Trump’s “America First” ethos, reaffirmed in his 2025 inaugural address, aligns neatly. He has never been one for multilateral niceties, ditching the Paris Agreement and WHO in his first term and now again. His January 2025 push for energy dominance through deregulation and fossil fuels screams self-reliance over global cooperation. For Trump, relevance might mean a nation that doesn’t need permission to lead.
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MARA Must Transcend Trump’s Instincts
Economically, MARA could echo his tariff wars and manufacturing obsession. Slapping levies on Canadian, Mexican & Chinese goods and vowing a second trade showdown aim to claw back industrial might, making an America that builds, not just buys. His 2025 border crackdown with mass deportations, ending birthright citizenship for undocumented immigrants’ children, all paints relevance as a fortress, secure and sovereign.
Geopolitically, Trump’s dealmaker streak fits too. His first-term North Korea summits, Saudi arms deals or even the so-called Afghan “Peace” Deal were less about ideology than leverage. Now, in 2025, he is hinting at a quick Ukraine war exit, pragmatism over principle. Relevance here isn’t moral authority; it’s the ability to dictate terms, or walk away.
But here’s the rub: MARA, if it’s to mean anything, must transcend Trump’s instincts. His approach being transactional and inward-looking, risks isolating America rather than reasserting it. True relevance might demand innovation (think green tech, not just oil), cultural revival (Hollywood’s lost monopoly), or a united front at home (good luck with that). Trump’s lens, while forceful, often skips these nuances.
So, is MARA a Trumpian echo or a broader call? It could be both. His policies embody a raw, nationalist stab at staying atop the heap, unapologetic, brash and quintessentially him.
Rahul Banerjee is the Co-founder & Managing Director of Raisina House, a youth-led strategic policy consultancy & research think tank.
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