Roundup: Australians unamazed by Trump's inauguration

A 4 a.m. live broadcast by national television network and pages of reports and analysis by big-name newspapers, Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony attracted the eyes in one of U.S.closest allies but failed to grapple the hearts.

Australian Broadcast Company (ABC) ran a live coverage of the inauguration ceremony of the 45th president of the United States since 2 a.m. Australian Eastern Daylight Time (1500 GMT Jan 20) on Saturday, January 21.

The top story on ABC website carries the title of "President Trump's inauguration begins with prayer, ends in protest", in which the article dedicated a separate section to the anti-Trump protests staged in Washington.

News.com.au mocked about the reduced turnout of spectators at Trump's inauguration ceremony from those at Barack Obama's first inauguration in 2009.

"The ceremony went off without a hitch, but Mr Trump's ego might have to endure some unflattering comparisons to Mr Obama's first inauguration eight years ago," the news website said in its headline story.

"The New York Times compiled these two contrasting images. On the left is the crowd about 45 minutes before the 2009 inauguration. On the right is the crowd 45 minutes before today's ceremony. It's been estimated that Mr Trump only managed to draw about a third of Mr Obama's 1.8 million-strong crowd," the story said.

The Australian Financial Review (AFR) did not hold back in labelling Trump's inaugural speech as "deeply nationalist and populist".

"Donald Trump's deeply nationalist and populist inaugural address as the 45th U.S. President has affirmed that he will govern just as he campaigned: as an anti-establishment crusader championing to put 'America first' for ordinary citizens who feel 'forgotten' by the elites," AFR writer John Kehoe said in his article.

"The punchy 16-minute performance that lacked policy details was laced with nati. dollar to edge lower during his speech."

Kehoe also pointed out the contradiction in Trump's speech in dealing with the Mideast countries and the U.S. counter terrorism efforts.

"The new president said he will 'reinforce old alliances and form new ones' to 'unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism' ... But in a shot at failed military interventions trying to bring peaceful democracy to Iraq and Afghanistan, Trump said 'we do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone but rather to let it shine as an example'."

Kehoe was not convinced by Trump's "big promises" to build new roads, bridges, airports, tunnels and railways "with American hands and American labour".

"For investors, Trump gave few clues about economic policies such as tax reform ... " he said.

He then concluded to warn that "A nativist, he (Trump) will pursue success via a mix of strength, nationalism and populism".

Greg Sheridan, foreign editor at the The Australian newspaper, has also cast doubt on Trump's speech.

"As with most populists, it is impossible to reconcile all the different parts of the Donald's pitch," Sheridan wrote in his article.

"From the day forward it's going to be America first, hire America, buy America, only act internationally to advantage America," Sheridan commented on Trump's inaugural speech.

"Ok, fair enough, but then: 'We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones', which means there's got to be something in this for foreigners as well."

Sheridan also held many of Trump's promises as "a bit unbelievable".

When commenting Trump's promise to bring back the jobs to the United States, Sheridan said "That's OK if it means create new jobs, but if he means he's going to bring back masses of manufacturing jobs which have been lost to technology much more than to trade, it's hard to know how it can possibly happen."

He also hinted the naivety and immaturity of Trump by saying that the confirmation of James Mattis as Defense Secretary by the Congress and the picks of a heavyweight cabinet like Mattis shows that "it's as if Trump has recognized that he needs adult supervision". Endit