--- title: Dalai Lama Says Donald Trump's MAGA Motto Isn't Relevant description: "From a global perspective, this statement isn't relevant. In today's global world, everything is interconnected." canonical: https://time.com/5012199/dalai-lama-donald-trump-maga/ author: Sarah Begley article:opinion: true article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-11-06T21:18:05.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:54:01.091Z article:section: Ideas og:title: The Dalai Lama Says Donald Trump's MAGA Catchphrase 'Isn't Relevant' og:description: "In today's global world, everything is interconnected" og:url: https://time.com/5012199/dalai-lama-donald-trump-maga/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltda82b22a590695c9/6988e4c2929fad623ebee5b7/dalai-lama.jpeg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 3000 og:image:height: 1688 og:image:alt: Tibetan Spiritual Leader Dalai Lama At The Tsuglakhang Temple In Dharamsala og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: The Dalai Lama Says Donald Trump's MAGA Catchphrase 'Isn't Relevant' twitter:description: "In today's global world, everything is interconnected" twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltda82b22a590695c9/6988e4c2929fad623ebee5b7/dalai-lama.jpeg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # The Dalai Lama Says Donald Trump's MAGA Catchphrase 'Isn't Relevant' > Sponsored content. 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Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk. #### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter? Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=085ba192-8067-4be8-ad87-bcd75bf38003&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1) ## Video: Watch President Trump's Inaugural Address [Watch (HLS stream): Watch President Trump's Inaugural Address](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/bL9xqRfb.m3u8) (3:46)  _Published 2017-01-20. Donald Trump delivered his first speech as President of the United States on Friday morning._ by [Sarah Begley](https://time.com/author/sarah-begley/) ## Sarah Begley Nov 6, 2017 9:18 PM UTC  Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama sits on his ceremonial chair as he prays before beginning a religious talk at the Tsuglakhang Temple on October 6, 2017 in Dharamsala, India. Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama sits on his ceremonial chair as he prays before beginning a religious talk at the Tsuglakhang Temple on October 6, 2017 in Dharamsala, India. Shyam Sharma—Hindustan Times via Getty Images by [Sarah Begley](https://time.com/author/sarah-begley/) ## Sarah Begley Nov 6, 2017 9:18 PM UTC World leaders of all stripes have found it impossible to avoid reacting to [Donald Trump’s presidency](http://time.com/5010474/donald-trump-asia-trip/). The [Dalai Lama](http://time.com/4977527/donald-trump-dalai-lama/) has previously shared his thoughts, calling the U.S. more “selfish” under President Trump last month, and he now writes that the “[Make America Great Again](http://time.com/money/4994680/donald-trumps-make-america-great-again-halloween-hats-sold-out/)” ethos “isn’t relevant” from a global perspective. In his new book [_An Appeal to the World: The Way to Peace in a Time of Division_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006283553X/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time037-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=006283553X&linkId=e821cdc827a0625e35538d1690d3eed9), the Dalai Lama devotes a short chapter to thoughts on the American president. Asked by his co-author, Franz Alt, whether “Make America Great Again” and “America First” are “up-to-date in this age of globalization,” The Dalai Lama responds, “When the president says ‘America First,’ he is making his voters happy. I can understand that. But from a global perspective, this statement isn’t relevant. In today’s global world, everything is interconnected. America’s future is dependent on Europe, and Europe’s future is dependent on the Asian countries.” Noting that the U.S. is “a leading nation of the free world,” the Dalai Lama argues that America should “affiliate itself more closely with Europe. I am an admirer of the European Union. It is a great, trailblazing example of a peace project.” He laments that Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate accord, writing, “He surely has his reason for doing so.” “The U.S. is still very powerful,” the Dalai Lama writes. “The motto of the forefathers of modern Americans was democracy, freedom, and liberty. Totalitarian regimes don’t have a future.” _An Appeal to the World_ is out on Tuesday. ## Transcript Every four years we gather on these steps to carry out the orderly and peaceful transfer of power. And we are grateful to President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for the gracious aide throughout this transition. They have been magnificent, thank you. [ APPLAUSE ] Today's ceremony, however, has very special meaning, because today we are not merely transferring power From one administration to another or from one party to another, but we are transferring power from Washington DC and giving it back to you the people. [ APPLAUSE ] [ APPLAUSE ] For too long, a small group in our nation's capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourished But the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered, but the jobs left and the factories closed. The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. We've made other countries rich, while the wealth, strength and confidence of our country has dissipated over the horizon. But that is the past. And now, we are looking only to the future. [ APPLAUSE ] We assembled here today or issuing a new decree to be heard in every city, in every foreign capital, and in every hall of power. From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this day forward, it's going to be only America first. America first. We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones and unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism which we will eradicate complete from the face of the Earth [ APPLAUSE ] At the bedrock of our politics, we'll be a total allegiance to the United States of America and thru our loyalty to our country, we will rediscover our loyalty to each other. When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice. Together, we will make America strong again. We will make America wealthy again. We will make America proud again. We will make America safe again. And yes Together we will make America great again. Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America. [ APPLAUSE ] Thank you. God bless America. 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