Trump Dumps Jackson for McKinley in Shocking Economic Power Play

Paul Riverbank, 9/2/2025In a fascinating evolution of political ideology, former President Trump's shift from admiring Andrew Jackson to William McKinley reflects a deeper transformation in economic philosophy. This pivot from populist disruption to protectionist nationalism marks a significant change in Republican economic thinking and Trump's vision for American prosperity.

Trump's Presidential Role Models: From Jackson to McKinley

The shifting sands of political symbolism often tell us more than mere policy statements. As a long-time observer of American politics, I've watched with fascination as Donald Trump has gradually replaced Andrew Jackson with William McKinley as his presidential north star.

It's a transformation that deserves our attention.

When Trump first stormed into Washington, he deliberately channeled Jackson's populist fury - even hanging Old Hickory's portrait prominently in the Oval Office. But somewhere along the way, something changed. The firebrand who promised to drain the swamp began speaking admiringly of McKinley's "talent" for using tariffs to enrich America.

I've covered enough political evolution to know when something significant is happening. This isn't just about switching historical heroes - it's about a fundamental shift in economic vision.

The McKinley embrace became unmistakable during Trump's second term. "McKinley was a natural businessman who made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent," he declared in his second inaugural. Gone was the Jacksonian rhetoric about battling elites. In its place? A full-throated endorsement of McKinley-style protectionism.

Let's be clear about what this means. McKinley's approach to trade and tariffs was sophisticated and systematic - quite different from Jackson's more populist economic instincts. When Trump renamed Denali back to Mount McKinley (yes, again), he wasn't just playing with geography. He was sending a signal about his economic philosophy.

But here's where it gets interesting - and concerning. McKinley's 1890 Tariff Act earned him the nickname "Napoleon of Protection," but it also helped trigger the Panic of 1893. These historical echoes matter when we consider Trump's own aggressive tariff policies.

The White House insists there's no contradiction here. Spokesman Kush Desai claims Trump remains committed to working-class interests. Perhaps. But as someone who's studied economic policy for decades, I see the tension between populist promises and protectionist results.

Most telling is the new West Wing artwork - a portrait grouping Trump with McKinley, Lincoln, Jefferson and Clay as "The Tariff Men." It's quite a statement about how Trump now sees himself and his economic legacy.

What fascinates me most is how selectively Trump draws from McKinley's playbook. He celebrates the tariffs but ignores how those same policies cost McKinley his congressional seat in 1890. He admires McKinley's nationalism but overlooks his later shift toward more nuanced trade positions.

From where I sit, this evolution from Jackson to McKinley represents something broader - a Republican Party struggling to reconcile its populist impulses with its nationalist ambitions. It's no longer about disrupting the system. It's about rebuilding it with a very specific vision of American economic supremacy.

Whether this new direction serves American interests in today's global economy remains to be seen. But one thing is certain - Trump's pivot from Jackson to McKinley marks a profound shift in both style and substance. And as someone who's watched American politics for longer than I care to admit, I suspect we'll be feeling its effects for years to come.

Trump's Presidential Role Models: From Jackson to McKinleyThe shifting sands of political symbolism often tell us more than mere policy statements. As a long-time observer of American politics, I've watched with fascination as Donald Trump has gradually replaced Andrew Jackson with William McKinley as his presidential north star.It's a transformation that deserves our attention.When Trump first stormed into Washington, he deliberately channeled Jackson's populist fury - even hanging Old Hickory's portrait prominently in the Oval Office. But somewhere along the way, something changed. The firebrand who promised to drain the swamp began speaking admiringly of McKinley's "talent" for using tariffs to enrich America.I've covered enough political evolution to know when something significant is happening. This isn't just about switching historical heroes - it's about a fundamental shift in economic vision.The McKinley embrace became unmistakable during Trump's second term. "McKinley was a natural businessman who made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent," he declared in his second inaugural. Gone was the Jacksonian rhetoric about battling elites. In its place? A full-throated endorsement of McKinley-style protectionism.Let's be clear about what this means. McKinley's approach to trade and tariffs was sophisticated and systematic - quite different from Jackson's more populist economic instincts. When Trump renamed Denali back to Mount McKinley (yes, again), he wasn't just playing with geography. He was sending a signal about his economic philosophy.But here's where it gets interesting - and concerning. McKinley's 1890 Tariff Act earned him the nickname "Napoleon of Protection," but it also helped trigger the Panic of 1893. These historical echoes matter when we consider Trump's own aggressive tariff policies.The White House insists there's no contradiction here. Spokesman Kush Desai claims Trump remains committed to working-class interests. Perhaps. But as someone who's studied economic policy for decades, I see the tension between populist promises and protectionist results.Most telling is the new West Wing artwork - a portrait grouping Trump with McKinley, Lincoln, Jefferson and Clay as "The Tariff Men." It's quite a statement about how Trump now sees himself and his economic legacy.What fascinates me most is how selectively Trump draws from McKinley's playbook. He celebrates the tariffs but ignores how those same policies cost McKinley his congressional seat in 1890. He admires McKinley's nationalism but overlooks his later shift toward more nuanced trade positions.From where I sit, this evolution from Jackson to McKinley represents something broader - a Republican Party struggling to reconcile its populist impulses with its nationalist ambitions. It's no longer about disrupting the system. It's about rebuilding it with a very specific vision of American economic supremacy.Whether this new direction serves American interests in today's global economy remains to be seen. But one thing is certain - Trump's pivot from Jackson to McKinley marks a profound shift in both style and substance. And as someone who's watched American politics for longer than I care to admit, I suspect we'll be feeling its effects for years to come.