Donald Trump made history by winning the presidency twice, first in 2016 and then almost a decade later. Other presidents have done the same, namely Bush and Obama, although Trump is only the second U.S. president to win the race in non-consecutive terms. Trump’s supporters and the Republican Party have already started to wipe the floor clean of Biden’s legacy.
Trump now faces a more unified party; his experience as a returning president could set the stage for his ambitious plans during his second term. Unlike his first victory, Republicans and other key national figures are prepared to unify around Trump’s agenda.
According to Brandon Rottinghaus, a political scientist at the University of Houston, the shift is striking. He noted that CEOs and politicians endorse Trump’s goals, before even taking office. This is a noticeable change from his first term.
Rottinghaus stated, “They’ve got CEOs and politicians who are more or less catering to his desires even before he takes office… so it’s a big change”, for ABC NEWS.
The focus on the 100 days dates from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s successful early months in 1933. Roosevelt’s first 100 days set a high bar for early presidential action, a benchmark still holds weight today. Presidents must now act fast due to the fast-paced nature of modern politics, where voters expect quick results.
Lessons from Trump’s First Term
Trump’s first term is marked by immediate, high-profile actions, including the controversial travel ban on predominantly Muslim countries. In his first 100 days, Trump signed 33 executive orders, the most since President Harry Truman. President Joe Biden, however, signed 42 executive orders upon taking office, undoing many of Trump’s policies, including the travel ban. This pattern of rapid executive action is already taking hold.
Trump has started to issue over 100 executive actions on his first day, including a mass deportation program, a “national emergency” on the southern border, biological sex-based gender policy, and a withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accords. While some of these initiatives may face legal and logistical challenges, they will likely energise his base, in a divided America.
What’s Driving Second-Term Optimism?
Trump’s second term comes with high expectations, driven by increased popularity.
Despite leaving office with low approval ratings, Trump’s recent support has risen, a typical phenomenon for any president-elect. One Poll found that 53% of respondents were optimistic about Trump’s policies in his next term, with 97% of Republicans expressing optimism compared to just 10% of Democrats.
The enthusiasm among Republicans has notably increased since 2017, with 76% saying they are very optimistic about his second term. Economic issues remain a top priority for voters, and Trump has promised to address them head-on. The poll showed that 44% of independent voters said the economy was their primary concern, a sentiment that helped propel Trump to victory.
Donald Trump’s “drill, drill, drill” mantra and promises of tax cuts and tariff reforms aim to lower Americans’ costs. Many economists remain sceptical of whether these measures will lead to any change. While Trump has acknowledged the difficulty of reducing costs like grocery prices, Trump remains committed to tackling the economy as a central issue.
According to a Gallup poll, most Americans believe Trump will be able to reduce unemployment, but fewer expect him to lower grocery prices. Trump’s promises may be influenced by an unrealistic expectation gap, a term political scientists use to describe the discrepancy between what voters expect from a president and what is feasible.
Trump’s Bold Immigration Agenda
Immigration policy is another primary focus for Trump. Historically, for him, immigration has been a critical issue, and his plans for mass deportations and reinstating travel bans align with his base’s priorities. A Fox News poll found that immigration topped the list of concerns among Republican voters, and 68% of Americans believed Trump could control illegal immigration. Trump’s promise to end what he calls the “migrant invasion” signals that immigration will remain a key issue in his second term.
Some of Trump’s “threats” to the nation’s democratic norms and his vow to seek retribution against political enemies have sparked concerns. Another Monmouth University poll revealed that 71% of Republicans thought Trump was exaggerating his rhetoric, but a substantial portion of independents and Democrats took his threats seriously.
High Stakes and Deep Divisions
Many Americans are uneasy about the potential consequences of his plans, including his promise to fire officials involved in federal prosecutions against him and his efforts to reshape the federal workforce. Despite this, most voters are not hopeful that Trump will be able to heal political divisions.
According to a Gallup poll, only a third of Americans believe he can unite the country. Trump’s approach to the executive branch, including efforts to expand presidential power, is another point of contention.
Plans to cut civil service jobs and establish a Department of Government Efficiency led by figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy raises concerns about the concentration of power, by Silicon Valley, across the executive branch.
Biden Tainted & Trump on a Roll: The First 100 Days
The first 100 days of a presidency only offer a glimpse of what will come. For example, despite high marks from historians, Biden’s presidency may ultimately be overshadowed by the events that led to Trump’s return to office.
According to Justin Vaughn, a political scientist at Coastal Carolina University, Biden’s legacy could be shaped by his refusal to step aside for a new generation of leadership, which may have contributed to Trump’s political comeback.
As Trump enters his second term, with the GOP firmly behind him and his base eagerly awaiting action on key issues like immigration and the economy, his first 100 days will likely provide just a hint of the broader impact he will have on the country.
We will closely monitor President Donald Trump’s first hundred days.
Daily Euro Times will provide updates!
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