Trump’s First 100 Days

Trump’s First 100 Days in Office: A Transformative and Controversial Start
The dawn of Donald Trump’s presidency in January 2017 was anything but quiet. Sworn in as the 45th President of the United States, Trump entered the Oval Office with a mandate to disrupt the status quo—a promise he wasted no time fulfilling. His first 100 days were a whirlwind of executive orders, policy reversals, and media firestorms, setting the tone for an administration that would redefine American politics. From immigration crackdowns to economic shake-ups, Trump’s early actions thrilled his base, horrified his opponents, and left the world watching with bated breath. Love him or loathe him, one thing was clear: this was not business as usual.

A Disruptive Beginning: America First, Diplomacy Last

Trump’s inauguration speech was a blunt declaration of his “America First” doctrine—a nationalist vision that prioritized U.S. interests over global cooperation. Gone were the diplomatic niceties of the Obama era; in their place stood a president eager to dismantle trade deals, tighten borders, and slash regulations. His first moves included withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and threatening to renegotiate NAFTA, sending shockwaves through international markets. Allies bristled at his transactional approach, while critics warned of a retreat from U.S. global leadership.
But Trump’s most explosive early policy was the so-called “travel ban,” an executive order barring entry from several Muslim-majority countries. Chaos erupted at airports as travelers were detained, protests flooded cities, and courts swiftly blocked the order. The backlash was fierce, but Trump doubled down, framing the ban as a necessary security measure. It was a defining moment: his willingness to court controversy—and defy legal and political pushback—became a hallmark of his presidency.

Executive Overdrive: Policy by Penstroke

Unencumbered by congressional gridlock (for the moment), Trump wielded executive power with unprecedented zeal. He signed a flurry of orders targeting Obama-era policies, from environmental protections to healthcare. The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) was in his crosshairs, though repeal efforts stalled in the Senate, revealing the limits of his party’s unity. Meanwhile, his administration rolled back regulations on energy companies, cheering fossil fuel executives but enraging climate activists.
Corporate America found an eager ally in Trump. His cabinet picks read like a Fortune 500 roster, with billionaires and CEOs taking key roles. Supporters praised his business-savvy approach; detractors saw a swamp un-drained, with corporate interests now calling the shots. The stock market surged on promises of tax cuts and deregulation, but Main Street remained skeptical—would “trickle-down” economics work this time, or was this just a gold-plated giveaway to the wealthy?

The Twitter Wars: Media, Misinformation, and Mayhem

If Trump’s policies were disruptive, his communication style was revolutionary. He treated Twitter like a press conference, firing off missives at dawn, mocking critics, and dubbing unfavorable coverage “fake news.” The media scrambled to keep up, fact-checking in real-time as the president bypassed traditional gatekeepers. His rallies became battlegrounds, where chants of “CNN sucks!” drowned out journalists. The strategy galvanized his base but deepened national divisions.
Public opinion reflected the chaos. Trump’s approval ratings hovered near historic lows for a new president, yet his core supporters remained unshaken. They adored his bluntness, his defiance of political correctness, and his relentless attacks on the establishment. To them, the media outrage was proof he was working. To everyone else, it was a dangerous erosion of trust in institutions.

Legacy in the Making: Chaos as Strategy

By day 100, Trump’s presidency had already reshaped the political landscape. He’d proven that executive power could bypass congressional logjams, that Twitter could rival press briefings, and that polarization could be a weapon. His achievements were real but uneven—some policies stuck, others fizzled, and all were overshadowed by constant drama.
Historians will debate whether Trump’s first 100 days were a masterclass in disruption or a cautionary tale. But one thing’s certain: he shattered norms, rewrote the playbook, and left America—and the world—grappling with the consequences. Whether his legacy would be one of transformation or turmoil remained to be seen, but the opening act was unforgettable.