The slogan America First suggests a straightforward, patriotic commitment to national sovereignty and domestic prosperity. It evokes an image of a government shielding its citizens from foreign entanglements and focusing resources on the American heartland. However, a critical analysis of modern U.S. foreign policy reveals a persistent paradox: while politicians campaign on domestic populism, their legislative and financial actions frequently prioritize the strategic interests of foreign allies—most notably Israel—over the immediate needs of the American people. This discrepancy suggests that America First may function more as a mask of deception than a genuine policy framework.
The core of the America Last argument lies in the allocation of national wealth. As American infrastructure crumbles, student debt nears $1.7 trillion, and healthcare remains inaccessible for millions, billions of dollars in unconditional military aid flow annually to Israel.
The perception of a sold out country stems from the immense influence of lobbying groups such as AIPAC (American Israel Public Relations Committee). In the current political climate, support for Israel is often treated as a litmus test for electability in both major parties. This creates a feedback loop where the interests of a foreign nation are integrated into the bedrock of American domestic politics. When politicians prioritize the security of foreign borders over the integrity of their own, or favor the industrial-military needs of an ally over the economic revitalization of their own constituents, they feed the narrative that the American citizen is an afterthought in their own capital.
The unadulterated deception mentioned by critics refers to the gap between campaign rhetoric and governing reality. America First is used to galvanize a base that feels abandoned by globalization. Yet, once in power, the establishment often maintains a status quo that favors the military-industrial complex and foreign strategic partnerships. This creates a mask where the language of isolationism or nationalism is used to hide a deeply interventionist and foreign-centric agenda. By framing the defense of a foreign nation as synonymous with American security, politicians bypass the difficult conversation of why domestic needs remain unfunded.
True America First policy would necessitate a radical reallocation of resources, shifting focus from maintaining hegemony in the Middle East to solving the systemic crises at home. As long as the political class remains more responsive to foreign interests and powerful lobbies than to the grievances of the average taxpayer, the slogan will remain an empty vessel. The result is a country that feels increasingly hollowed out—a nation where the first in the slogan refers to the rhetoric, but last refers to the actual experience of its people.