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Trump’s rhetoric raises alarms for VI—Skelton-Cline
During his inaugural address, Trump invoked the concept of "manifest destiny," a phrase fraught with historical significance tied to expansionism, racial superiority, and a sense of divine mandate. This raised alarms among commentators, including a Virgin Islands social and political activist, pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline, who shared his concerns on the Honestly Speaking radio programme broadcast on ZBVI 780 AM on January 21, 2025.
Manifest Destiny— A Troubling Revival
The commentator, in dissecting Trump’s use of "manifest destiny," linked it to deeply problematic ideologies.
"Manifest destiny has always had three salient components: the belief in a divine mandate, racial superiority, and territorial expansion by any means necessary.”
This ideology, he noted, was historically underpinned by institutional religious support and now resurfaced in Trump’s rhetoric.
“Yesterday, Donald Trump invoked this phrase calmly, cruelly, collectively; It was unnerving to hear a President, on Martin Luther King Jr Day no less, double down on a concept that has justified some of the darkest chapters in American history.”
The commentator, as such, tied this rhetoric to a broader agenda, citing Trump's reference to the Panama Canal and the proposed renaming of the Gulf of Mexico as indicative of expansionist ambitions.
Relevance to the Virgin Islands
Skelton-Cline also used the broadcast to caution the Virgin Islands against underestimating these developments and their implications for the Virgin Islands.
“What’s getting ready to happen in the United States is a darkening of the darkness; Trump will not only fulfill his promises but exceed them, and the ripple effects will be felt here.”
As such, he urged local leaders to prioritise preparedness, emphasising the importance of food security, trade stability, and economic resilience, reiterating “We must create guardrails to buffer ourselves, we won’t escape entirely, but preparation can mitigate the impact.”
The commentator also highlighted the need for unity amidst these challenges, pleading with listeners that “our poverty lies in our division and spirit. We cannot afford internal strife when the external threats are so grave.”
Critical Thinking
The activist pleaded for Virgin Islanders to engage in critical thinking. “Critical thinking begins with listening—not just with your ears, but with your heart and spirit. It’s about raising the right questions, waiting for answers, and questioning those answers; We must discern not just what is said, but what is unsaid, to navigate the challenges ahead.”
“History is watching,” Skelton-Cline reminded listeners, adding “What we do now, as a people and as a nation, will determine how well we weather this storm.”
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