Storyline

New Year's Day 2050.

2026: The American Financial Crisis

For the first time ever, the United States defaults on its sovereign debt. Bond markets are sent into a tailspin. The DJIA collapses in spectacular fashion, leading to a 21% drop in just one week. The tech-heavy NASDAQ drops 46%, wiping out a total of $15 trillion of private and institutional American wealth. There is a run on the US dollar as investors around the world abandon the longstanding reserve currency. Between November 2026 to April 2027, the US dollar loses 50% of its value, triggering a wave of hyperinflation that threatens average citizens' livelihoods. All across the country, frenzied consumers rush to withdraw their bank deposits, leading to the collapse of Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase. On 3 May, President Donald Trump activates the national guard in order to maintain order in 8 cities; however, in New York, New Jersey, Illinois and California, military leaders refuse the President's orders to fire on their fellow citizens.

2027: The Great Southern Famine

In the second half of 2027, the southern United States is hit with a crippling food shortage. Beginning in July, the states of Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas and Louisiana declare a state of emergency; however, no help is forthcoming from the federal government. On 10 October, riots break out in New Orleans, Nashville and Atlanta. Trump deploys the national guard to quell the riots, and bloody scenes ensue - in Atlanta, more than 2,000 people are killed. Martial law is declared in the states of Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. Terrified citizens all over the country are advised to stay home. In San Francisco, a community initiative led by Mark Zuckerberg results in the purchase of 500 tons of bread to aid famine relief efforts.

2028-32: The Ackman Administration

As the United States enters a prolonged economic depression, billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman announces his intention to run for the Republican nomination for President. His campaign sharply criticizes the diplomatic failures of the Trump Administration, and pledges to restructure the country's debt by way of "opening up America to the world". Ackman defeats the incumbent Vice President J.D. Vance in the Republican primaries, and goes on to defeat Democratic nominee Gavin Newsom in an electoral landslide. In his first 100 days in office, President Ackman embarks on a world tour to attract foreign direct investment from China, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, ultimately securing over $10 trillion in fresh capital injections.

In June 2029, with the country finally creeping out of a three-year depression, Ackman introduces an austerity regime that slashes military spending by over 20%. There are mass layoffs across the federal government as agencies such as the FBI, DEA and ICE are dramatically downsized. In order to stabilize the volatile dollar, Ackman pegged the currency to the Euro with a fixed exchange rate of EUR 1 = USD 3.

By the summer of 2030, Ackman's economic restructuring is beginning to bear fruit. The economy grew at 4% in Q2 2030, and unemployment figures fell to 7% from a high of 21%. However, a fundamental change has taken place, and it is irreversible - a vast proportion of American assets are now foreign-owned, and more than 50% of Americans are now working for companies owned by foreign investors, in particular those from China and Saudi Arabia. In Midtown Manhattan, there is a flurry of new construction activity, as 14 new supertall skyscrapers are built by companies such as Tencent, Wanda, Mudabala and PIF. As a result of the increased trade with these countries, Chinese and Arabic speakers - mostly Asian-Americans and Arab-Americans - are in high demand, and are elevated to important positions in government and the private sector. Inevitably, Chinese and Arab money also starts finding its way into American politics, as campaign finance laws are further relaxed.

On 31 December 2031, Ackman announces that he will not be seeking re-election in 2032.

2032-40: The Gambell Administration

In 2032, Jared Gambell, a first-term U.S. Senator from Florida, becomes the Republican nominee for President, prevailing over a crowded field with the help of massive campaign contributions from Fortune 500 companies. He defeats the Democratic nominee Pete Buttigieg by a landslide, winning 42 out of 50 states. During his first months in office, Gambell further relaxes the rules for foreign direct investment in the US, and introduces a new Diamond Card scheme that grants instant US citizenship to investors contributing at least $30 million into approved investment funds.

During Gambell's first term, foreign ownership becomes a more and more normalized feature of life in most American cities. Multiple cities in the San Francisco Bay Area are now majority-Chinese, while the rejuvenated city of Detroit has been given the nickname "America's Dubai". In most large cities, large numbers of white Americans see their employment opportunities limited to service occupations catering to foreign clients. College enrolment is now over 70% Asian, and white college graduates are working in menial administrative roles in Asian-owned companies.

In order to make ends meet, thousands of young white women across the country are starting to engage in prostitution. A study by Pew Research shows that 40% of white women under 25 have provided sexual services in exchange for money on at least one occasion. Because prostitution is officially illegal, the trade is dominated by criminal organizations, mostly affiliated with the Triads, Yakuza or cartels.

2034-36: Legalization of Prostitution

In May 2034, California became the first state in the US to fully legalize prostitution. In July 2034, Michigan, Illinois and Florida followed suit. Billions of dollars of investment capital are being invested in professionalizing the industry. By the end of 2035, prostitution has become legal in 30 states.

2036-38: Legalization of Polygamy

In August 2036, the state of Michigan officially legalized polygamy for Muslims, allowing men to take up to four wives.

In December 2036, the state of Utah followed suit, justifying their new polygamy laws by citing the state's Mormon tradition. In Utah, men are allowed to take an unlimited number of wives, so long as they could provide for them financially.

Between May 2037 to June 2038, the states of California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island and Delaware introduced legislation according official recognition to the legal status of concubines.