Donald Trump marked his first 100 days in office on Tuesday, celebrating what has already been one of the most radical and far-reaching presidencies in U.S. history. However, polls indicate that Americans are growing increasingly disillusioned with the economic and political turbulence under his leadership.
Trump commemorated the milestone with a rally in Michigan, a key battleground state he won in November after defeating Kamala Harris. In typical Trump fashion, he aimed to energize his base, even as his presidency continues to shake up the United States.
Backed by billionaire Elon Musk, Trump has overseen massive cuts to the federal workforce, redefined foreign relations with sweeping tariffs, and slashed foreign aid. Despite these efforts, polling shows that Trump’s approval ratings have sharply dropped, with just 39 percent of Americans expressing support for his performance. Even on his most popular issue, the aggressive immigration crackdown, there is rising discontent, particularly over deportations without due process.
Trump has dismissed the polling but quietly acknowledged the need to adjust some policies, especially as stock market volatility has increased. Wall Street, down over 6 percent since he took office, saw a slight rebound on news that Trump might ease some tariffs impacting the automotive sector.
In a sign of growing tension with the Federal Reserve, Trump backpedaled on his threat to remove Chairman Jerome Powell after Powell warned that the tariffs could stoke inflation.
Unlike his first term, when aides tried to temper his impulses, Trump has now surrounded himself with loyalists and insists he is on track to achieve all his second-term goals. “I think either we’ve done everything, or it’s in the process of being done,” Trump said ahead of his rally in Warren, Michigan.
Trump’s controversial actions continue, including removing a portrait of Barack Obama from the White House and replacing it with an image of himself after surviving an assassination attempt. He has also used the power of his office to pressure law firms involved in cases against him and frozen billions in funding for universities critical of his administration.
While Trump remains focused on galvanizing his base, many supporters, such as 65-year-old Michigan resident Donna Fitzsimons, remain unwavering. “He’s amazing. Everybody’s worried about tariffs. We don’t care — look at everything else that’s coming together too,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party has capitalized on economic anxieties, although it too has struggled in the polls. The Democratic National Committee criticized Trump’s first 100 days as a “colossal failure,” blaming him for rising costs, a strained retirement system, and the looming threat of a “Trump recession.”
Even with a Republican-controlled Congress, Trump has pushed the limits of presidential power, signing more than 140 executive orders, many of which have faced legal challenges. He has sought to end birthright citizenship, a constitutional right, and Musk has drastically cut billions in congressionally appropriated funds.
Trump’s impatience is also evident in his foreign policy, particularly regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. Despite pledging to end the conflict within 24 hours during his campaign, Russia has rejected his ceasefire offer, with Trump backpedaling, claiming the promise was made “in jest,” even though he had made the same claim more than 50 times before assuming office.
As his presidency unfolds, Trump’s controversial moves and the growing discontent from the public suggest that the coming years will be marked by intense political and economic challenges.
