
What if Donald Trump is a victim of his own invention?
The new president of the United States began to fulfill what he promised from the first day of his term. Is it the right way?
Currently, the main risk for the new president of the United States, Donald Trump, is to be a victim of his own invention. So one wonders how far he will go in his promise to refound the United States and become the cure for “all ills” of a country that voted for his extreme version of history.
The emphatic tone in which the new head of state has set out his new mandate brings us face to face with that dilemma. Clearly, many did not align themselves with this apocalyptic idea of American culture. Proof of this was the large number of people who demonstrated in Washington. But he who rules rules, even if he rules badly, goes the popular saying.
Trump is representative, there is no doubt about that. He was elected with a large majority in both the Electoral College and the popular vote. His idea of what is wrong with the country today seems to be unanimously accepted by a large part of the population. And to this must be added the support of the population to the conservative proposals in the Congress of the Republic.
And that is the starting point of his government: to level down to be able to say that anything good that happens from now on will be thanks to his decisions. A problem of narratives.
It is necessary to listen well to what Trump thinks the United States is living today. At the inauguration event, Donald Trump pledged to usher in a new golden era for the country. He claimed that the United States has been weakened by internal and external factors, highlighting problems such as the loss of industrial jobs, energy dependence, and what he sees as a degradation of traditional values. None of this is necessarily true. But even so, he will focus his administration on revitalizing the economy, strengthening the borders, and regaining the country's global leadership.
Among his most prominent promises is the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency, an initiative that, according to Trump, will seek to optimize federal resources and eliminate unnecessary bureaucracies. This effort aligns with his goal of returning power to the people and reducing the influence of what he calls a "corrupt elite."
The speech also touched on controversial topics, such as the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the declaration of a "national energy emergency." Trump announced plans to significantly expand fossil fuel exploitation, arguing that this will restore energy independence and strengthen the national economy. This decision, however, faces criticism from climate experts, who warn about the consequences of ignoring global efforts to mitigate global warming.
Regarding freedom of expression, the President declared that his government will take measures to protect this right, which he considers threatened by censorship and ideological restrictions. This stance was complemented by his assertion that there are only two genders, a statement that has generated mixed reactions and reflects his critical approach to gender inclusion policies.
In the area of innovation, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to space exploration, proposing a program to take the United States to lead the race to Mars. He also stressed the importance of exploiting mineral and energy reserves as a way to consolidate the country's economic and technological power.
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Although the President painted a gloomy picture of the national situation, some analysts question the basis of his statements. For example, on immigration, data suggest that the flow of immigrants has decreased over the last decade, countering the narrative of a "massive invasion" at the southern border. Similarly, climate studies backed by scientific consensus highlight the urgency of reducing dependence on fossil fuels, contradicting Trump's bid to expand drilling.
In addition, criticism of electric vehicle regulations and the dismantling of initiatives such as the Green New Deal have been seen by environmental and economic sectors as a step backwards. These actions could limit the development of emerging industries and hinder efforts to diversify the country's energy matrix.
Risks of overreach
The Trump administration, consequently, is playing on the edge of the ledge, as any exaggeration (involving a large dose of lies) is unsustainable in the long term and crumbles in the face of evidence. This could cause the president to face the reality of inflated expectations, something he himself created. While his narrative seeks to mobilize a political base with strong promises, there is a risk that the public will perceive that the problems he is trying to solve are not as pressing as he describes them. This scenario could weaken his legitimacy if the proposed solutions do not generate tangible results or if the costs of his policies exceed the perceived benefits; this is the case of the tariff increase that could lead to a new inflationary shock that was one of the sensitive issues during the campaign.
In the global context, Trump's stance raises questions about the future of multilateral cooperation. Exiting the Paris Climate Agreement could incentivize other countries to reduce their commitments, undermining progress in the fight against climate change. And if environmental disasters continue to increase and hit U.S. territory, as has been the case with recent hurricane seasons, it is going to become very clear that policies to increase hydrocarbon production hit the planet's CO2 reduction targets.
The inauguration of Donald Trump marks the beginning of a period that promises significant changes in U.S. policy. His inaugural address, loaded with ambitious promises and controversial proposals, reflects a vision of national refoundation that appeals to both hope and polarization. However, it is possible that Trump, instead of solving the problems, is aggravating them with the kind of measures he is taking. This story is just beginning.
With information from AFP
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