Donald Trump won the presidential election with the support of a majority of white Americans. Some of these Americans were on the far right, people whom we would characterise as white nationalists. Does it follow that Mr Trump’s election victory was based on extreme racist sentiments? No.

Many people who supported Mr Trump were drawn to the Republican party platform because of its emphasis on limited government, individual freedoms and the rule of law. It is not always clear where Democratic party leaders stand on these basic American ideals.

In his inaugural address, the president offered a new vision of putting American interests first when it comes to tax policy, trade deals, immigration and defence, areas where the Democrats have been weak and ineffectual. Mr Trump emphasised patriotism and the unifying force of an American national identity, transcendent of race and ethnicity.