In 1976, the United States celebrated her bicentennial birthday. It was two hundred years since the thirteen colonies declared themselves independent from the British Empire. America was reeling from the twin catastrophes of Vietnam and Watergate. A President had resigned in disgrace due to a political scandal. In addition, the nation had suffered a humiliating defeat in Vietnam. Despite its military might, the United States had failed to prevent the North Vietnamese Army from toppling the regime in Saigon. The scenes of Americans scrambling onto helicopters from the roof of the US Embassy was burnt into the national psyche.

Despite that, there was cause to celebrate. The United States was still the richest country in the world and was still admired and respected. There was still a lot to celebrate. People still believed in the promise and the allure of America.

How times have changed!

Today as America celebrates her 250th birthday, we look at her in 2026. Still a nation that we admire, but in those 50 years, the America that we once loved has almost gone.

In 1976, the US President was Gerald Ford, an uninspiring man who assumed the office after Richard Nixon’s resignation. Today, the President is a man you could never have imagined sitting in the Oval Office back in 1976.

Donald Trump has helped to change the nature of politics in the United States. Attacks on the press, insults to opponents, rejection of facts and the truth. An anti-immigration agenda, watering down civil rights legislation and pandering to the Evangelical Christian right. Trump’s Administration rejects any form of criticism or scrutiny. This has fed into the news coverage from the network news.

The Republican Party has lost all independence or spine to challenge Trump’s authoritarian style of rule. The East Wing of the White House was demolished to make way for construction of a ballroom. Not a peep of protest from the GOP. The President launches a bombing campaign against Iran with no Congressional approval. Silence from Congress. He does not even bother to address the country to outline his reasons for the attacks. He does not need to. The Democrats are in disarray, the traditional media has lost its teeth.

The corruption of the Trump Administration is breath-taking. Whether it’s accepting a jet from Qatar or his sons benefitting from business deals related to government policy, the Trump family is raking in the cash.

America’s problems are not being addressed as there are no leaders of vision. No one talks about climate change, the income inequality, the racial divide or the absence of a decent health care system.

On the world stage, America’s allies no longer look to her for leadership. America can no longer be relied upon in a crisis. We have seen that in Ukraine, with Greenland and in Iran. Trump was never a fan of NATO and it shows. The bonds that held the Atlantic Alliance are fraying.

What will America look like in 2076?