First Presidency of Donald Trump (2017–2021)

Inauguration and Early Actions

Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States on January 20, 2017. The following day, global protests erupted, including the Women's March in Washington, D.C., where approximately 2.6 million people demonstrated against his presidency. In his first week in office, Trump signed six executive orders addressing a variety of issues, including the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, reinforcement of border security, and a planning process for the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Family Involvement and Conflicts of Interest

Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner played prominent roles in his administration, with Ivanka becoming an assistant to the president and Jared serving as a senior advisor. Trump's business dealings during his presidency raised concerns about conflicts of interest, as he continued to profit from his businesses, even as his administration's policies affected them.

Economic Policy

Tax Cuts and Budget Deficits

Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which reduced tax rates for individuals and businesses. While the administration claimed the tax cuts would not reduce government revenue, in reality, the federal deficit increased by nearly 50% during his presidency. By the end of his term, the U.S. national debt surged by 39%, and the debt-to-GDP ratio reached its highest level since World War II. Trump's administration also failed to deliver on his campaign promise of a $1 trillion infrastructure plan.

Environmental Policy

Climate Change and Fossil Fuels

Trump, a skeptic of climate change, rolled back numerous environmental regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and curbing pollution. He withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, making America the only country not to ratify the accord. Trump also worked to promote fossil fuel production, particularly natural gas, while coal production continued its decline under his administration.

Social and Health Policies

Health Care and Opioid Crisis

Trump sought to scale back the Affordable Care Act, even though he was unable to repeal it. His administration also made efforts to limit gun control, roll back protections for LGBTQ individuals, and reduced funding for programs aimed at fighting the opioid epidemic. Despite some progress in addressing the opioid crisis, overdose deaths surged to record levels in 2019.

Immigration Policy

Travel Ban and Family Separation

Trump's immigration policies were characterized by strict enforcement and attempts to limit immigration. His administration implemented a controversial travel ban targeting several predominantly Muslim countries, which faced legal challenges but was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court. The Trump administration also separated thousands of migrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border under a "zero tolerance" policy, which sparked widespread outrage.

Race Relations and Controversial Remarks

White Nationalism and Derogatory Comments

Trump's handling of race relations during his presidency was highly contentious. His response to the 2017 Unite the Right rally, where he suggested there were "very fine people on both sides," was criticized as equating white supremacists with counter-protesters. Additionally, his derogatory remarks about certain immigrant nations, including calling them "shithole countries," were condemned as racist by many.

Pardons and Clemency

Controversial Pardons

Trump granted fewer pardons than most modern presidents, and many of his clemency decisions were controversial due to political or personal connections. He controversially pardoned several individuals with ties to him or his administration, including military service members convicted of violent crimes.

Mexico–United States Border Wall and Government Shutdown

Background and Wall Construction:
One of Trump's key campaign promises was the construction of a 1,000-mile (1,600 km) border wall between the U.S. and Mexico, with Mexico footing the bill. By the end of his presidency, the U.S. had constructed 40 miles (64 km) of new primary wall and 33 miles (53 km) of secondary wall in previously barrier-free areas. Additionally, 365 miles (587 km) of existing barriers were replaced.

Government Shutdown of 2018–2019:
In 2018, Trump demanded $5.6 billion for the border wall, refusing to approve any appropriations bill without the allocation. This led to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, lasting 35 days (December 2018 to January 2019), affecting around 800,000 federal workers. The shutdown ended with temporary funding but no wall money, causing an estimated $3 billion loss to the economy and a drop in Trump’s approval ratings.

Congressional Actions in 2019:
To prevent another shutdown, Congress passed a funding bill in February 2019 that included $1.375 billion for 55 miles (89 km) of border fencing. Trump also declared a national emergency to redirect $6.1 billion from other funds to the wall. Legal challenges to this fund diversion were unsuccessful.

Foreign Policy

Trump's Foreign Policy Overview:
Trump identified himself as a nationalist, and his "America First" approach defined much of his foreign policy. Relations with European allies were often strained, and Trump openly criticized NATO. His foreign policy was characterized by unpredictability and inconsistency.

Trade Policies:

Trump withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, and initiated a trade war with China by raising tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese goods. These tariffs were ultimately paid by American companies importing from China, not China itself. The trade war led to a significant increase in the U.S. trade deficit. In 2020, the U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) replaced NAFTA.

Relations with Russia:

Trump's administration eased sanctions against Russia and withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, citing alleged Russian noncompliance. Despite his praise for Vladimir Putin, Trump faced bipartisan criticism, particularly after the 2018 Helsinki Summit when he accepted Putin’s denial of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections.

Relations with China and North Korea:

Trump accused China of unfair trade practices and launched a trade war against the country. He also imposed sanctions on Chinese companies like Huawei. Despite initially praising China’s handling of COVID-19, Trump became increasingly critical. Regarding North Korea, Trump engaged in multiple meetings with Kim Jong Un, but no denuclearization agreement was reached.

Middle East and Other Key Issues:

Trump’s administration took significant steps in the Middle East, including recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. His support for Saudi Arabia’s intervention in Yemen and the U.S. withdrawal from Syria were major points of controversy. Trump’s dealings with Iran included withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal and ordering the assassination of General Qasem Soleimani in 2020, leading to retaliation from Iran.

Personnel and Staff Turnover

High Turnover in Trump's Administration:
The Trump administration saw notable staff turnover. By the end of his first year, 34% of original staff had resigned or been reassigned. Key figures, including National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and Press Secretary Sean Spicer, left early on. Trump also had four different White House chiefs of staff, with Reince Priebus, John Kelly, Mick Mulvaney, and Mark Meadows all serving at different points.

Judicial Appointments

Trump’s Impact on the Judiciary:
Trump appointed 226 Article III judges, including three Supreme Court Justices: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. These appointments shifted the Court to the right, and Trump took credit for the overturning of Roe v. Wade. He often criticized judges who disagreed with him and questioned judicial authority.

COVID-19 Pandemic Response

Initial Response to the Pandemic:
The COVID-19 pandemic first reached the U.S. in January 2020, with Trump initially downplaying the virus and stating that it was "under control." As the situation worsened, he declared a national emergency in March 2020. The Trump administration passed the CARES Act, a $2.2 trillion stimulus package, and implemented travel restrictions. However, his failure to provide effective leadership during the early stages of the pandemic contributed to criticism of his handling of the crisis

2020 Presidential Election

Trump’s Re-election Campaign:
Breaking from tradition, Trump filed to run for a second term shortly after taking office in January 2017. His campaign rallies began just weeks into his presidency, and he formally became the Republican nominee in August 2020. His campaign advertisements often focused on crime, claiming that electing Joe Biden would lead to widespread lawlessness. Trump also misrepresented Biden’s positions and shifted to racial appeals.

Doubts About the Election and Postal Service Funding:
Starting in spring 2020, Trump began casting doubt on the fairness of the election, claiming, without evidence, that the election would be rigged and that mail-in voting would lead to widespread fraud. In August, when the U.S. House of Representatives voted to allocate $25 billion to the Postal Service for the expected surge in mail-in ballots, Trump blocked the funding, arguing that it would increase mail voting and create fraud. He also refused to commit to accepting the election results and a peaceful transition of power.

Election Results:
Despite Trump’s claims, Joe Biden won the election on November 3, 2020, securing 81.3 million votes (51.3% of the total) to Trump’s 74.2 million (46.8%) and 306 Electoral College votes to Trump’s 232.

Rejection of Election Results

Trump’s Allegations of Fraud:
On the night of the election, Trump prematurely declared victory, even though the results were still being counted. After Biden was declared the winner, Trump baselessly alleged widespread election fraud. He and his allies filed numerous lawsuits to contest the results, but over 86 judges, including some appointed by Trump, rejected these claims for lack of evidence. State election officials also refuted Trump’s accusations. On December 11, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case brought by Texas to overturn results in four states won by Biden.

Post-Election Actions:
In the weeks following the election, Trump withdrew from public activities and blocked the transition process by not allowing government officials to cooperate with Biden’s team. After a delay, the General Services Administration formally recognized Biden as the “apparent winner,” allowing the transition process to begin. Trump still did not concede but said he had recommended the GSA begin transition protocols.

Efforts to Overturn the Results:
From November 2020 to January 2021, Trump personally pressured local and state Republican officials, members of Congress, the Justice Department, and Vice President Pence to take actions to overturn the results, including replacing electors and demanding Georgia officials "find" votes to change the outcome. A criminal investigation was opened into Trump’s efforts to subvert the election results in Georgia.

January 6 Capitol Attack

The Attack and Trump’s Role:
On January 6, 2021, as Congress was certifying Biden’s victory, Trump held a rally at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., where he urged his supporters to “fight like hell” and “take back our country,” encouraging them to march to the Capitol. Following his speech, many of his supporters joined the crowd at the Capitol and breached the building, disrupting the certification process and forcing the evacuation of Congress. The incident was widely seen as an attempted self-coup.

Trump’s Response During the Attack:
During the violence, Trump did not intervene to stop the rioters. Instead, he posted messages on Twitter, calling them “great patriots” and repeating his false claim that the election was stolen. He later tweeted that the rioters should “go home with love & in peace.” The violence led to the injury of over 140 police officers and the deaths of five individuals. After the Capitol was cleared, Congress reconvened and confirmed Biden’s victory.

Trump’s Post-Election Statements:
In the months following the attack, Trump continued to support the rioters. In March 2023, he collaborated with imprisoned rioters on a song to benefit them, and in June 2023, he stated that, if reelected, he would pardon many of those involved in the attack.

First Post-Presidency (2021–2025)

Life at Mar-a-Lago and the "Big Lie":
After leaving office, Trump settled at his Mar-a-Lago estate, where he established an office in accordance with the Former Presidents Act. He is legally allowed to reside there as an employee of the club. Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election, widely referred to as the "big lie," gained traction among his supporters. In May 2021, he and his allies co-opted the term, using it to describe the election itself. The Republican Party, embracing Trump’s false narrative, used it to justify new voting restrictions favoring the GOP. Trump continued pressuring state legislators as late as July 2022 to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Political Influence and Fundraising:
Unlike other former presidents, Trump remained a dominant force within the Republican Party, often likened to a modern-day party boss. He raised significant funds, surpassing the Republican Party in fundraising, and benefited financially from hosting numerous fundraisers at Mar-a-Lago. A primary focus of his post-presidential activities was influencing the administration of elections and removing election officials who had resisted his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. In the 2022 midterm elections, Trump endorsed over 200 candidates, many of whom supported his false claims of a stolen election.

Business Activities

Trump Media & Technology Group:
In February 2021, Trump established a new company, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), aimed at providing "social networking services." In March 2024, TMTG merged with Digital World Acquisition, a special-purpose acquisition company, and became publicly traded. The company launched Truth Social, a social media platform, in February 2022. However, by March 2023, federal prosecutors were investigating Trump Media for potential money laundering, as the company had received $8 million from entities with ties to Russia.

Investigations, Criminal Indictments, and Convictions

FBI Investigations:
Trump became the subject of several FBI investigations following his departure from the White House. Upon leaving office in January 2021, he took government documents with him to Mar-a-Lago. By May 2021, the National Archives realized that crucial documents had not been returned, and by January 2022, they retrieved 15 boxes of records, some of which were classified. The Justice Department launched an investigation and subpoenaed additional material. On August 8, 2022, the FBI conducted a search of Mar-a-Lago, recovering 11 sets of classified documents, including some marked as "top secret." The investigation included possible violations of the Espionage Act and obstruction of justice.

In November 2022, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Jack Smith as special counsel to oversee the investigation into Trump’s retention of government materials and his role in the January 6 Capitol attack.

State and Federal Criminal Indictments

State Criminal Charges:
In December 2022, the Trump Organization was convicted on 17 counts, including tax fraud and falsifying business records. Trump was not personally charged, but the organization was fined $1.6 million, and CFO Allen Weisselberg was jailed. In August 2023, a Georgia grand jury indicted Trump on 13 charges, including racketeering, related to his efforts to subvert the election outcome in Georgia. Trump pleaded not guilty, and the judge later dismissed three charges.

Federal Indictments:
In June 2023, Trump was indicted on 31 counts of retaining national defense information under the Espionage Act and other charges related to obstructing justice. A superseding indictment added further charges. Additionally, in August 2023, a federal grand jury indicted Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, including charges of conspiracy, obstruction, and depriving voters of their rights. He pleaded not guilty.

Criminal Conviction in the 2016 Campaign Fraud Case

Payments to Silence Alleged Affairs:
During the 2016 presidential campaign, payments were made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal in exchange for their silence about alleged affairs with Trump. Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, pleaded guilty in 2018 to campaign finance violations, admitting to making the payments at Trump’s direction. Though Trump denied the affairs, he later reimbursed Cohen for the Daniels payment. In 2021, criminal investigations into Trump’s business practices were reopened. In March 2023, a New York grand jury indicted Trump on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records related to the hush money payments. Trump was convicted in May 2023 and, in January 2025, was sentenced to unconditional discharge, upholding the conviction without additional punishment.

Civil Lawsuits and Judgments

Trump faces numerous civil lawsuits, including a fraud case filed by New York's attorney general, accusing him, his children, and the Trump Organization of financial misdeeds. In 2023, a court found him liable for fraud and imposed a significant financial penalty. Additionally, Trump faced legal consequences related to allegations of sexual abuse and defamation, particularly in the cases brought by E. Jean Carroll, which led to multi-million-dollar damages.

2024 Presidential Election Campaign

Trump announced his candidacy for the 2024 election in 2022. His campaign quickly became a major focus, with heavy financial involvement and significant legal implications. Trump continued to propagate his claims of election fraud from 2020, even though his rhetoric became increasingly extreme and authoritarian, including threats to weaponize government agencies against his political opponents. Despite these challenges, Trump won the Republican nomination and was nominated as the party's candidate for the 2024 election.

Political Rhetoric

Trump's rhetoric has evolved over time, moving from populist right-wing politics to authoritarian-style language, with an emphasis on racial, gender, and religious divisions. His rhetoric has inflamed anger and mistrust, contributing to a deeply polarized political climate. Racial animus, particularly towards Black, Latino, and Muslim communities, remains a powerful force in his political appeal, as does his support from Christian nationalist voters.

Racial and Gender Views

Trump's views on race and gender have remained controversial throughout his political career. He has been accused of racism for various comments and actions, including his support for the "birther" movement and his statements regarding minority groups. He has also been accused of misogyny, with numerous allegations of sexual misconduct against him, which he has denied.

Trump's post-presidency period has been marked by ongoing legal battles, heightened political rhetoric, and the continued loyalty of his political base.

Conspiracy Theories

Throughout his career, Donald Trump has promoted a variety of conspiracy theories, including the "birther" movement regarding Barack Obama's birthplace, the "Clinton body count" theory, QAnon, and claims about election fraud. He also made allegations about various international and domestic issues, including the wiretapping of Trump Tower and misstatements about Osama bin Laden's death. These conspiracy theories were often clarified by Trump as beliefs he held, further deepening the division and misinformation during his presidency.

Truthfulness

Trump's tenure as president was marked by numerous false or misleading statements, which fact-checkers from outlets like The Washington Post and CNN documented extensively. His falsehoods ranged from minor exaggerations to major claims that had significant public impacts, such as promoting unproven treatments for COVID-19 or spreading misinformation about the 2020 election. Trump's refusal to apologize for these inaccuracies and the lack of media accountability at times made his falsehoods a defining aspect of his public persona.

Social Media

Trump's relationship with social media was a defining feature of his political career. His prolific use of Twitter allowed him to communicate directly with the public, bypassing traditional media channels. However, after being banned from several platforms in 2021 following the Capitol riot, Trump launched his own platform, Truth Social. In 2022, after Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter, Trump's account was reinstated, although he continued to use his own platform more frequently. Trump's social media activity often involved spreading misinformation and undermining trust in established news sources.

Relationship with the Press

Trump's contentious relationship with the media was a hallmark of his presidency. He regularly accused the press of bias and labeled news outlets as "fake news." The White House reduced formal press briefings during his tenure and used legal threats to silence critical coverage. Trump also pushed back against media outlets that criticized him, filing multiple defamation lawsuits, including against ABC News over coverage of the E. Jean Carroll case.

Public Image

Trump's public image has been polarizing, with international approval ratings and domestic surveys showing significant partisan divides. While his approval was strong among Republicans, he faced consistently low ratings from Democrats, contributing to a historically wide partisan gap. He finished his presidency with some of the lowest approval ratings in modern U.S. history. Despite this, he remained a prominent figure in American politics, often admired by his supporters and frequently in the media spotlight.

Scholarly Assessments

Historians and political scientists have given Trump mixed assessments. In surveys such as the C-SPAN "Presidential Historians Survey," Trump ranked among the worst U.S. presidents, particularly for moral authority and administrative skills. He was also placed near the bottom in other major surveys, including the Siena College Research Institute's rankings and among members of the American Political Science Association. His presidency was viewed as divisive, with many regarding his leadership as detrimental to the nation's political stability.

References 

• Donald J. Trump Official Biography: The Trump Organization (no date) Official Biography | The Trump Organization. Available at: https://www.trump.com/leadership/donald-j-trump-biography (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
• Donald Trump (2025) Encyclopædia Britannica. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Donald-Trump (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
• Donald Trump (no date) Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/profile/donald-trump/ (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
• Donald Trump photograph - historical artwork from 2016 - US president portrait - (4" x 6") - gloss (no date) Amazon.in: Home & Kitchen. Available at: https://www.amazon.in/Donald-Trump-Photograph-Historical-President/dp/B07NKWWJCD (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
• Donald Trump: A quick guide to the US president-elect (2024) BBC News. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g4dzpg468o (Accessed: 14 January 2025).