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100 DAYS

How did Trump do?

As we mark the first 100 days of President Trump’s second term, the nation stands at a crossroads. The administration has delivered seismic shifts, doubling down on campaign promises with lighting speed. As someone who has spent years analyzing this sort of stuff, I’m diving into Trump’s early record with a clear-eyed perspective. Yes, I am pro-Trump, but I also pro-truth. Below, I outline some of the standout achievements, areas that are middling but promising, efforts that need serious work, and three outright disappointments—backed by facts and grounded in the reality of what’s unfolded since January 20, 2025.

THE GREAT STUFF

1. Border Security
Trump’s laser focus on border security has yielded tangible results. Illegal border crossings have plummeted to historic lows, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection reporting a sharp decline in apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border—down to levels not seen in decades. The administration’s executive orders, including reinstating “Remain in Mexico” and deploying additional troops to the border (3,000 more in early 2025), have deterred illegal entries. Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, while controversial, has streamlined deportations of alleged criminal migrants, such as Venezuelan gang members, to places like El Salvador’s mega-prisons. Critics cry foul over due process, but supporters see a border finally under control. This is a win for national sovereignty and a signal that America’s laws mean something again.

2. Supporting His Administration
Unlike his first term, where public firings and Twitter tirades defined his leadership, Trump 2.0 has shown remarkable loyalty to his team. Gone are the days of humiliating cabinet members. Instead, Trump has empowered figures like Tom Homan and Pete Hegseth, even when their policies and actions draw heat. He’s leaned heavily on allies like Elon Musk, whose Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has pushed bold reforms, and Vice President JD Vance, a vocal defender of the administration’s agenda. This cohesion has kept the White House focused, avoiding the White House chaos of 2017-2021 and projecting strength to a skeptical public.

3. Sticking to Plan Despite Media Pushback
Trump’s defiance of media narratives is a masterclass in political resolve. From renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” to issuing executive orders protecting women’s sports by banning transgender athletes, he’s delivered on promises that resonate with his base. His 135+ executive orders—more than any president in their first 100 days—bypass a hostile Congress and media to enact change. The media scoffed at his “drill, baby, drill” energy policy, yet Trump’s orders to unlock Alaska’s oil and gas reserves and declare a “national energy emergency” signal a commitment to energy independence. Love or hate the optics, Trump’s refusal to bend under pressure is a defining strength.

MEDIOCRE

1. DOGE: A Double-Edged Sword
Led by Elon Musk, DOGE promised to slash federal waste and streamline bureaucracy. It’s delivered some wins—cutting $150 billion in spending and exposing fraudulent Social Security data (millions listed as over 100 years old, though not receiving benefits). But DOGE’s “move fast and break things” approach has been sloppy at times, with errors like misreporting a $1.9 billion contract cancellation. Mass firings, including 100,000+ federal workers, have hollowed out agencies, sparking legal battles. While DOGE’s uncovered corruption, its hatchet-style cuts risk long-term damage. A scalpel, as Trump recently suggested, might be wiser.

2. Tariffs: Right Idea, Rocky Execution
Trump’s tariffs—10% to 145% on imports from China, Canada, and Mexico—aim to revive American manufacturing and reduce trade deficits. A 2024 study from his first term showed tariffs boosted manufacturing and reshoring, and Trump’s betting on a repeat. But the rollout has been somewhat choppy at times, tanking the S&P 500, shaking consumer confidence, and costing households an estimated $1,600 in disposable income due to inflation. Partial retreats, like delaying tariffs on Canada and Mexico after pushback, show flexibility but sort of undermine credibility. Long-term, tariffs could strengthen the economy, but the short-term pain is real.

3. Media: Alternative Voices Still Muted
Trump pledged to amplify alternative media to counter the mainstream’s bias, but progress is sluggish. While he’s held lengthy Q&A sessions with the press—unlike Biden’s limited access—mainstream outlets still dominate the narrative. Platforms like X haven’t seen the policy-driven boost expected, Facebook remains a platform where the truth about Trump’s wins struggle to find a place atop the newsfeed, and conservative voices struggle against entrenched media gatekeepers. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s sharp rebukes are a start, but the administration needs a bolder strategy to elevate new media. Hope remains, but this is a missed opportunity so far.

KIND OF GOOD AT BEST, BUT HOPEFUL

1. Unifying the GOP
Trump’s vision requires a united Republican Party, but dissenting voices persist. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune act as if they support his agenda, but it’s hard to determine their level of loyalty. And then there are senators like Rand Paul (who texted Trump to oppose tariffs) and Lindsey Graham (pushing for Syria intervention) highlight major fractures. The GOP’s $150 billion defense and border security bill shows progress, but internal debates over spending and tariffs expose disunity. With midterms looming, Trump must unify and rally the party to avoid a repeat of 2018’s losses. Republicans who push back MUST be called out by Trump each and every day until they fall in line.

2. Economy: Slow but Steady
The economy Trump inherited was broken, but his tariffs and trade war have sparked volatility. Consumer spending rebounded after an early 2025 dip, and job growth remains solid with low layoffs. Yet, 72% of Americans fear a recession, and Trump’s sinking approval rating reflects economic unease. Promises like no taxes on tips and Social Security benefits are popular, but slow implementation frustrates voters. The economy’s improving, so too is inflation, but not fast enough to match Trump’s “golden age” rhetoric.

3. Deportations: Ambitious but Lagging
Trump’s mass deportation pledge—targeting 20+ million illegals—has hit roadblocks. While he’s stripped legal status from 240,000 Ukrainians and pushed “self-deportation” with fines up to $998/day, deportations haven’t reached the historic levels promised. Legal challenges, including court blocks on revoking status for 530,000 Cubans and others have slowed progress. The intent is clear, but execution needs to accelerate to meet expectations. His team was not prepared for the court challenges, let’s face it. The Trump team must outsmart the courts and use every tool in the toolbox, including an executive order for mandatory e-Verify. Why such an executive order has not been placed on his desk for signing is both a mystery, and a problem.

NOT GOOD

1. Ukraine and Russia: Stagnant
Trump vowed to end the Russia-Ukraine war on Day 1, but it rages on with no end in sight.

2. Epstein Files: Silence is Deafening
Trump promised transparency on the Jeffrey Epstein case, but no new files have been released in his first 100 days. An executive order to declassify JFK assassination records yielded little, setting a poor precedent. Public demand for Epstein-related disclosures remains high, yet the administration’s silence fuels distrust. This inaction frustrates voters who expected accountability — Trump’s silence on this issue risks alienating some of his base.

3. Health Insurance Rates: No Action Taken
Skyrocketing health insurance rates continue to burden Americans, and Trump has offered no concrete plan to address them. While Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has targeted food industry reforms, like banning petroleum-based colorings by 2026, healthcare costs remain untouched. With inflation already strained by tariffs, this oversight hits working families hard. Trump’s first term saw no significant healthcare reform, and this early inaction suggests a repeat.

Conclusion

Trump’s first 100 days have been a whirlwind of bold action, and I have loved most of it. However, there have been avoidable missteps, and some topics like e-Verify and healthcare costs are being ignored — when they should be at the top of his list.

All in, I feel as if he is giving it his best effort, and that’s all I can ask for. The resistance against him is simply unAmerican, but then again we should expect nothing less as it’s the liberal playbook to destroy all that is great.

As Trump moves forward, I hope that he and his team will refine their approach in some areas, harnessing the Administration’s strengths while addressing the shortcomings to deliver the “new golden age” as promised. America is in a strange and divided place — Democrats will be out for blood in the upcoming midterms with fresh calls for impeachment — while conservatives we will be cheering for Trump to have the best four years in history. Next 100 days will only get more intense: It’s going to be a wild ride.

First 100 days: I give Trump an A-

Reminders & Notices

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