Make America Great: End the Military-Industrial Complex and Stop Investing in Foreign Conflicts

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If Donald Trump truly wants to make America great, it begins by addressing one of the most profound and destructive forces driving the nation’s decline: the military-industrial complex. This behemoth—consisting of defense contractors, foreign policy elites, and an insatiable appetite for warfare—has not only drained American resources but has also perpetuated unnecessary conflict around the world. To genuinely turn America into a force for good, there is one crucial step that must be taken: reducing America’s military footprint and ceasing its engagement in endless, unjustified proxy wars.

The first step is simple yet radical: Stop supplying arms to countries involved in proxy wars that America has no business being part of. Whether it’s fueling the conflict in Yemen, providing weapons to unstable governments, or backing brutal regimes, America has consistently been complicit in global bloodshed. The justification for these interventions is often linked to maintaining influence and strategic advantages, but these wars rarely, if ever, yield positive outcomes for the U.S. or the countries involved. In fact, they often destabilize regions, fuel extremism, and create long-term humanitarian disasters. If America wants to be seen as a force for peace and stability, it needs to stop perpetuating these conflicts by cutting off the flow of arms to foreign powers that use them to perpetuate war.

Secondly, the United States could drastically reduce its military presence around the world by scaling back the over 850 military bases it maintains. Reducing this number to one-third would not only save billions of taxpayer dollars but also signal to the world that America is no longer seeking to impose its will through military power. The sprawling network of U.S. military bases often serves as a reminder of imperialistic tendencies, with local populations caught in the crossfire of America’s global ambitions. With fewer bases, resources could be redirected toward more pressing domestic needs, and the U.S. could focus on diplomacy, collaboration, and peacebuilding rather than military posturing.

Finally, the most significant and politically challenging reform of all would be to implement strict policies that prevent government officials from accepting money from defense contractors and lobbyists. The revolving door between the defense industry and government positions has resulted in policies that disproportionately benefit the military-industrial complex at the expense of the American people. Elections are increasingly shaped by the financial clout of defense contractors, whose interests often align with perpetual warfare and military expansion. If Trump truly desires to make America great, he would push for legislation that removes the corrupting influence of money in politics, particularly when it comes to defense contracts.

While all of these ideas may seem like wishful thinking in the current political climate, they are far from impossible. The consequences of implementing such policies would be profound. For one, America would be seen as a more stable and trustworthy partner in the global arena. There would be less interference in foreign governments, fewer covert operations, and fewer coups or topplings of regimes that only serve to fuel chaos. This shift toward diplomacy and de-escalation could pave the way for a more peaceful and cooperative world.

The most important benefit, however, would be the savings. By slashing military spending, America could redirect hundreds of billions, if not trillions, of dollars toward the needs of its own citizens. Health care could be improved, homelessness could be addressed, student loans could be forgiven, and veterans’ care could be properly funded. In short, the United States could shift its focus from endless warfare to healing and investing in the well-being of its people.

But all of this is contingent on one thing: leadership. If Trump—or any future president—truly wants to make America great, they must have the courage to make the tough decisions that prioritize people over profits, diplomacy over conflict, and peace over war. It would be a far-reaching, transformative shift—but it would also be the beginning of a truly great America. Not because it’s a return to some nostalgic past, but because it’s a new chapter where the nation’s resources, energy, and efforts are dedicated to building a stronger, healthier, and more just society.

America has never been great for everyone. It’s had moments of greatness, yes, but it has also been a country defined by inequality, war, and exploitation. That’s why making America “great again” is a misnomer. The true work lies in making it better, for everyone. If Trump—or any leader—could focus on cutting military waste, ending unnecessary conflicts, and redirecting those resources to the needs of the people, only then could they honestly claim to have made America great. Because greatness is not about military might or global dominance; it’s about uplifting the lives of everyday people and working toward a peaceful, prosperous future. That’s how true greatness would begin.