POTUS

Donald Trump (2017-2021, 2025-2029)

Overview

Donald John Trump served as the 45th POTUS from 2017 to 2021 and the 47th POTUS from 2025 to 2029. A businessman and television personality before entering politics, his presidency was marked by significant policy changes, controversial rhetoric, and unprecedented challenges to democratic norms.

Key Events and Policies (2017-2021)

• Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017: A major overhaul of the United States tax code, significantly reducing corporate and individual income taxes.
• Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement: Trump announced the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Accords, an international agreement on climate change.
• Trade Wars: Imposed tariffs on goods from China, the European Union, and other countries, leading to trade tensions and retaliatory measures.
• Appointment of Conservative Judges: Appointed three conservative justices to the Supreme Court: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, shifting the court’s ideological balance.
• Immigration Policies: Implemented stricter immigration enforcement, including the “zero tolerance” policy at the border, which led to family separations. Also pursued the construction of a wall on the United States-Mexico border.
• COVID-19 Pandemic: His administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was widely criticized for downplaying the severity of the virus and promoting unproven treatments.

Key Events and Policies (2025-2029)

• Continued Deregulation: Further reduced government regulations across various sectors, including environmental protections and financial regulations.
• “America First” Policies: Continued to prioritize domestic interests and protectionist trade measures, renegotiating existing trade agreements and imposing new tariffs.

Groups and Affiliations

• Republicans: Trump ran and governed as a Republican, though his policies and rhetoric often deviated from traditional Republican orthodoxy.
• Business Organizations: He maintained close ties with various business organizations and industry leaders.
• Evangelical Christians: Gained strong support from evangelical Christians due to his conservative social policies and judicial appointments.
• “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) Movement: Trump’s political movement was characterized by a strong emphasis on nationalism, populism, and a return to traditional values.

Impact on the Country

• Polarization: His presidency exacerbated political polarization in the United States, with deep divisions between supporters and opponents.
• Economic Impact: His tax cuts led to short-term economic growth but also increased the national debt. His trade policies had mixed effects, benefiting some industries while harming others.
• Judicial Appointments: His appointments of conservative judges reshaped the federal judiciary for decades to come.
• Social and Cultural Impact: His rhetoric and policies sparked debates about race, immigration, and national identity, contributing to a more divided society.
• Challenges to Democratic Norms: His challenges to the legitimacy of elections and his actions surrounding the January 6th attack raised concerns about the future of American democracy.
• Shift in Political Discourse: His use of social media and populist rhetoric changed the nature of political discourse, often characterized by personal attacks and misinformation.