Opinions
Programmes
Author
Joe Zammit-Lucia
Joe Zammit-Lucia is a RADIX Co-Founder and board member. He is an entrepreneur and commentator on business and political issues writing in outlets in the UK, US, Germany and the Netherlands. His particular interest is the relationship between business and politics.
In line with our tradition, the time has come to present our Word of the Year for 2026.
This is always a challenging exercise. Particularly in these times when there is so much going on everywhere we look.
First, I’d like to start with the near misses. Words that were considered but ultimately pipped to the post.
Starting with the obvious: AI. Well, this didn’t quite make it. First, ‘AI’ is not a word. And ‘Artificial Intelligence’ are two words. So, there’s a problem right there. It is true that AI will likely be transformative in many ways – a mix of good and bad (as is everything). Its reach will be everywhere - from stock markets to schools, hospitals and businesses. But then we have a good history of adapting to technology and the different ways of life it introduces. As we doubtless will with AI.
Another word we considered: War. It is possible that, in many parts of the world, conflict will arise or increase. China-Taiwan. Europe-Russia. US-Venezuela. Plus the continuation and potential increase of violence in established conflict zones. Yet none of this may happen – and we hope it doesn’t. The superstitious would not want us to tempt fate.
At the end of the day, our chosen Word of the Year for 2026 is TRUMP.
This will doubtless dismay many who really would like to forget that he exists. Or who hate even the mention of the name. Yet it is undeniable that the re-election of President Trump has been by far the most consequential recent political event. That his actions will have greater impact on how 2026 will play out than anything else that’s going on. In 2026 we will not stop talking about Trump and he will continue to dominate global headlines. Every day of every week of every month.
Trump 2.0 (November 2024) and 2.1 (2025) have upended the world order as we knew it. The world has changed and maybe the old order needed upending. What Trump 2.2 will unleash in 2026 is unknowable. But unleash something, maybe many things, he will. And we will all continue to be surprised. Some will be dismayed and angry, maybe terrified, at what is to unfold. Others will cheer and ask for more. But nobody will be able to ignore him.
The role of America as the guarantor of liberal democracy and global security is being eroded. If that goes much further in 2026, little else will have quite as many far-reaching effects. War (one of our candidate words) or no war will be more heavily influenced by Trump’s choices than by anything or anyone else. We can only hope that his obsession with the Nobel Peace Prize will play a positive role in practice rather than just empty boasting about stopping eight wars all of which continue apace.
Maybe the 2026 mid-terms will result in a comprehensive spanking for the GOP and flickers of sentient life from the Democrats. Will that constrain Trump or, in the mode of street fighter, see him double down with more urgency and even less predictability? And there is evidence of s modicum of resistance to his actions by his own Republican colleagues. Republican Indiana has just rejected Trump’s re-districting plan, and the House of Representatives has approved a bill that bolsters Europe’s security in direct opposition to the President’s National Security Strategy. How much of that will matter? Will it have any impact on the President’s actions in 2026?
None of us know the future. None of us know what is to unfold as we welcome the new year. But, however much so many hate to admit it, we know one thing for sure: Trump will be at the centre of how the world evolves over the coming twelve months. The idea that Trump has marginalised America and that the hegemon no longer matters quite so much in world affairs is delusional. And America today is being significantly defined by the actions of one man.
That is why TRUMP is our word of the year. Apologies if that upsets you.