Republican Donald Trump has been president of the U.S. for 100 days. Which of his promises has he put into practice? And what do Americans think?
"All governments need coherence, predictability, and stability. And right now, we don't have that," says expert on Trump's government. Image: Nathan Howard/REUTERS
Since Donald Trump took office for the second time as President of the U.S. on January 20, 2025, so many things have changed in U.S. politics that 100 days seem too short a time for the 180-degree turn the country has taken. Whether a shift in foreign policy or the imposition of tariffs on products from around the world, hardly a day goes by without breaking news from the White House.
"No matter what side you're on, most people would agree that a lot has happened," says Patrick Malone, a professor of public administration and politics at American University, in an interview with DW. The president "definitely has fired all the 'ammunition' from the start."
Behind this is a strategy. The constant flow of new reports about extreme measures, many of them directed against the democratic substance of the U.S., aims to paralyze political opponents, "to scandalize them," so to speak. And American citizens who disagree with the new course do not know what to protest against first: Trump's absolute contempt for climate change and his plans to increase drilling for oil? The undermining of the separation of powers when the government deports migrants against clear orders from federal judges? The restriction of press and speech freedom when access to the White House is denied to unwanted media and funding is cut to unwanted researchers, even entire universities?
The second Trump administration is dividing the country like never before. How much of what he promised his supporters before the November 2024 elections has the American president accomplished at the start of his second term?
THERE WILL BE NO PEACE IN UKRAINE IN 24 HOURS.
Trump declared in May 2023, during an event in New Hampshire, that if elected he would end the war in Ukraine in the blink of an eye. "They are dying, both Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying," Trump said at the time. "And I will achieve it, I will have it done in 24 hours."
The war continues. Trump has now had to realize that even he cannot end the conflict in a day. The U.S. is working on a solution with little coordination with its allies - and is closer to the Russian side than to the Ukrainian one. Trump has already made significant concessions to the Russian aggressor in his first phone call with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.
The war continues in Ukraine. In the image, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky converse at the Vatican. Image: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS
On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky received a reprimand from Trump and his Vice President J.D. Vance at the White House for allegedly being ungrateful. Military aid to Ukraine was put on hold. And recently, Trump criticized Kiev for clinging to the return of Crimea to Ukraine instead of ceding the peninsula to the enemy in the name of peace. The Ukrainian population, devastated by war, reacts in shock to the 180-degree turn of the country that was its main defender.
TRUMP AND IMMIGRATION POLICY.
Immigration policy was one of Trump's favorite topics during the election campaign. At an event held in New York in October 2024, he promised to initiate the largest deportation program in U.S. history if he won the elections.
Trump has definitely made immigration more difficult, says Malone: "Some would call it a success, others would call it inconsistent with American values."
TRUMP'S TARIFFS: FULFILLED PROMISE, CAUSE FOR CONCERN?
After his election, Trump announced that he would end the policy of "ridiculously open borders" and the U.S. trade deficit. He wanted to impose tariffs equal to what the respective partner applied to American products. He did so in April. In many cases, the U.S. tariffs imposed were even higher.
However, this raises the cost of some products for American consumers and jeopardizes the trade relations that have developed. According to a survey by the Pew Opinion Research Institute, Americans now view the economic situation and the future of their country more critically than in February, shortly after Trump took office.
"The first 100 days were a whirlwind, but not everything was progress," says the political professor. The Trump Administration introduced many things and then retracted them. This was evident with tariffs, but also with layoffs in many ministries. Initially, thousands of people were fired. When it later became clear that some of those employees were essential, they were rehired.
"It is very difficult to manage a government this way," says Malone. "All governments need coherence, predictability, and stability. And right now, we don't have that."
