US President Donald Trump is on the cusp of completing 100 days in office as he continues to push his “America First” agenda.
What should have been a moment to celebrate for the Trump 2.0 administration will mostly be remembered for a damning stat — an approval rating of just 41%. This is the lowest rating for any newly elected US President’s first 100 days in office, dating back to Dwight Eisenhower in the 1950s.
Coincidentally, he beat out his own performance from his previous term in 2017.
Trump 2.0 has been a wild ride so far. From launching an unprecedented global tariff war to slashing US foreign aid. From disparaging NATO allies to embracing Russia's narrative about its invasion of Ukraine. Trump has even suggested annexing Greenland and making Canada the 51st state.
Critics and fellow world leaders argue that Trump’s aggressive stance may cause irreparable damage to the relations that the US has built after World War 2.
Back in February, just a few days after Trump’s swearing-in as the 47th President of the US, German Chancellor-elect, Friedrich Merz voiced his concerns about the future of US-European ties.
Reacting to Trump’s statement the week before, Merz opined that “the Americans or this administration is largely indifferent to the fate of Europe”.
Given Russia’s escalating aggression in Europe - particularly with respect to Ukraine - Merz’s statement echoes what many other European leaders are feeling. Some European allies, for instance, have been looking to boost their own defence power to reduce reliance on the US.
Furthermore, Trump’s audacious, if not irresponsible, statements on “owning and rebuilding” Gaza for Palestinians provoked sharp reactions from both Americans and across the world.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump declared “Gaza as a big real estate site” and that the US would “own it” in an effort to bring “stability to a totally war-torn part of the Middle East”.
Domestically too, his policies haven’t really sat well with many Americans.
Under Trump’s billionaire friend Elon Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency cut foreign aid, vital to so many developing nations as well as slashed thousands of jobs. The latter leading to violent backlash, like the torching of Tesla vehicles and showrooms.
But perhaps the most chilling and contentious decision of Trump 2.0’s administration has been the mass deportations. Hundreds of people, including Indians, were escorted out of the country in shackles. Not to be confused with those migrants accused of gang affiliation who were sent to a notorious mega-prison in El Salvador.
In true Trump fashion, he has unapologetically and unabashedly gone forward with his plans and shows no signs of stopping. To the extent of teasing the idea of seeking a third term in the White House by selling “Trump 2028” merchandise to supporters. Though, as it stands, a third term is completely unconstitutional.
