Trump's First 100 Days Reveal a 'Strongman's' Unprecedented Weakness

Trump's First 100 Days: Unprecedented Weakness

The article analyzes the first 100 days of Donald Trump's second term, arguing that his actions demonstrate an unprecedented display of weakness on the global stage, contrary to his self-proclaimed strongman image. His policies have led to a decline in investor confidence, causing a downward drift in stocks, bonds, and the dollar's value.

Economic and Geopolitical Impacts

Trump's policies, including tariffs, are criticized for undermining the U.S.'s economic standing and its global influence. Analysts highlight investor concerns about the increasing U.S. policy uncertainty, leading to a potential downfall of the U.S. dollar as a reserve currency. Even Trump's business supporters acknowledge the severe damage to the U.S. 'brand'.

• The article points out that Trump's actions are pushing away allies and empowering rivals like Russia and China.
• His appeasement of Putin, along with his alienation of European allies, is presented as contributing to a weakened U.S. position globally.
• Trump's trade war and subsequent economic turmoil are cited as evidence of his lack of economic understanding.

Domestic Policies and Brain Drain

The article also discusses Trump's domestic policies, arguing that they cause a “brain drain” by slashing investments in science and education, deporting immigrants, and suppressing dissent. This is presented as counter-productive, given that the U.S.'s strength has historically depended on attracting talent from around the world.

The 100-Days Metric

The article concludes by acknowledging that the 100-day metric for evaluating a president's performance is not necessarily accurate. While admitting the dubious nature of the metric, the authors demonstrate a sharp decline in Trump's approval ratings, while the conclusion offers a glimmer of hope for course correction.