Story highlights David Gergen: Speech was angry decree aimed at his supporters, no cry for unity

He says calls for protectionism likely caused great concern overseas

David Gergen is a senior political analyst for CNN and has been a White House adviser to four presidents. A graduate of Harvard Law School, he is a professor of public service and co-director of the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School. Follow him on Twitter: @david_gergen. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his.

(CNN) Donald Trump's inaugural address was less of a speech than a battle cry -- an angry denunciation of America's political elites and a decree that under his leadership, the people will stage a virtual revolution. We haven't heard anything like this in modern times.

The address surely heartened the millions of followers Trump has mobilized across the country. He made clear to them he would be the same leader in the White House as on the campaign trail. He isn't changing, and they love him for it. But it was that very realization -- that he isn't changing -- that left millions of other Americans in despair, stunned and appalled.

JUST WATCHED Moments from Trump's inaugural address Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Moments from Trump's inaugural address 02:08

In his address, Trump simply dropped some traditions of the past. Gone was a call to political opponents to join hands and work together; gone was the racial and ethnic diversity that we have seen in recent inaugurals, giving way to a sea of white faces and red hats. (At first, he also appeared to make a faux pas in neglecting to mention Hillary Clinton, but he made up for it with a salute at lunch.)

His audience on the National Mall lapped up Trump's address. They feel -- with legitimacy -- that blue-collar workers, especially in rural areas, have been overlooked for too long and for decades haven't shared in the economic gains of the country. They have lost much of their confidence in the establishment, and Trump has given them a voice. This was their day as much as Trump's.

Photos: Trump's America: Cartoon views from around the world Photos: Trump's America: Cartoon views from around the world Tjeerd Royaards is a Dutch editorial cartoonist living in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He is editor-in-chief of cartoonmovement.com Hide Caption 1 of 10 Photos: Trump's America: Cartoon views from around the world Damien Glez is a Burkina Faso-based cartoonist-columnist. He draws for publications on three continents. Hide Caption 2 of 10 Photos: Trump's America: Cartoon views from around the world Michel Kichka is an Israeli editorial cartoonist based in Jerusalem. Hide Caption 3 of 10 Photos: Trump's America: Cartoon views from around the world J.J. McCullough is a political cartoonist and commentator currently living in Toronto, Canada. Hide Caption 4 of 10 Photos: Trump's America: Cartoon views from around the world Cintia Bolio lives in Mexico City and is a self-taught artist, feminist and happy mother. This year she celebrates 21 years of work. Hide Caption 5 of 10 Photos: Trump's America: Cartoon views from around the world Thomas McClure is an American illustrator and designer whose most recent work is in the production and conceptual illustration for feature films. Hide Caption 6 of 10 Photos: Trump's America: Cartoon views from around the world Cecile Bertrand is a photographer, painter, sculptor, poster artist, comic strip writer and illustrator in Belgium. Hide Caption 7 of 10 Photos: Trump's America: Cartoon views from around the world Lichuan Xia works in China as an editorial cartoonist and graphic designer. Hide Caption 8 of 10 Photos: Trump's America: Cartoon views from around the world Cathy Wilcox is an Australian cartoonist who has been drawing for The Sydney Morning Herald and other Fairfax Media publications since 1989. Hide Caption 9 of 10 Photos: Trump's America: Cartoon views from around the world Mikhail Zlatkovsky is an artist working in Moscow, providing illustrations for cartoons, posters, animations, books and magazines. Hide Caption 10 of 10

But for all his admirers here in Washington, there are tons of opponents, too. They promise that "The Resistance" starts this weekend on the streets of the US capital and in cities around the country with demonstrations for women's rights. Where was his concern for women's equity in his inaugural? they are asking. Why did he fail to mention health care when he wants to wipe out Obamacare? Why does he always exaggerate, using descriptions such "carnage" to make his point?

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