In a video outlining some of his plans if he were re-elected for a second term, former President Trump suggested constructing “freedom cities” on federal land.
The Context: Trump made the proposal on Friday, highlighting his plans for a “quantum leap in the American standard of living.”
He gave a keynote speech at CPAC, where he is expected to draw a sharp contrast between his MAGA movement and the Republicans of the Bush era.
The Latest: Trump suggested that a competition should be held to charter up to 10 new cities and grant them to the best development proposals. He posted the four-minute video to both Ramble and his Truth Social account.
- “These freedom cities will reopen the frontier, reignite American imagination, and give hundreds of thousands of young people and other people, all hardworking families, a new shot at homeownership and, in fact, the American Dream.”
- He did not provide details or plans for funding.
Additionally, Trump has issued a challenge to all governors to participate in a “great modernization and beautification campaign.”
This effort includes initiatives such as removing unsightly structures, revitalizing parks and public areas, enhancing the quality of life in cities and towns, and constructing “towering monuments” honoring American heroes.
In his speech, Trump also directed criticism towards China and called for a competition to develop vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, with a desire for America to lead the charge instead of China.
He stated, “I want to ensure that America, not China, leads this revolution in air mobility.”
In his email, Trump said 10 cities… probably better to fix the Democrats-ruined existing cities…
New cities built on dreams, Democrats/ChinaCommunist-style, would simply fill up with evil worthless Democrats and be further disasters… Cities have to be built on BUSINESS to succeed and prosper…
Great idea! This idea actually follows China’s example. To upgrade China’s rural peasantry, Xi embarked on building new cities, some to accommodate 50+/- million people. (Some of them are totally constructed…but virtually empty.) But others have upgraded the lives of many Chinese, who today form a large middle class, i.e. creating a consumer economy. China is now the largest automobile market in the world. They produce twice as many cars a year than we do.
But Trumps idea is a great idea for us. We were never devastated by a modern war on our soil, hence our cities and infrastructure are 100+ years old, while much of the rest of the world has grown with newer technology and more “planned” expansion. So why not repeat their example. Plan and build some new cities, with professional planning, consistent architecture, sidewalks, schools, colleges, parks, industrial zones, commercial outlets, etc. Maybe start with a few cities to accommodate 1/4 – 1/2 million people. Time will be required to design, build, and even more time probably to populate the place. But such a program will be a start to prepare the US for the next couple of centuries.
To Buzz: In time we abandon the old cities, maybe just a few neighborhoods at a time, and clear them for new construction. Sure, a wild dream…YES, a very long range plan.
But if we can avoid the coming war with China, by stepping back from too many promises to too many acquaintances (not really friends, beginning with Taiwan…we need to tell Taiwan, we cannot defend them from destruction, after which they will not be able to recover for a 100 years. WAR = No chips for anybody!
So, we need to convince Taiwan, and we & they need to negotiate the best deal we can get for them to join the PRC. (YES, Hong Kong was promised 50 years of autonomy, but China cancelled it after 25 years.) As part of the package, we negotiate a (world) trade arrangement with China, that is mutually acceptable. We withdraw, militarily, from the Taiwan Straits and the South China Sea, as China guarantees free and uninhibited commercial traffic through those international waters.
With the reduction in world tension and even a fragile peace, with the reduction in Defense and other related costs, we can have some leeway to begin to rebuild our country.