Not too many people could have imagined how US President Donald Trump would have spent his 100 days in office, especially in the wake of the eventful first month he had on the job. It is also debatable whether the first 100 days were even productive but at least Mr Trump seems to think so. In an hour-long speech, the US leader told his supporters in a Pennsylvania rally that he would definitely win the other “great battles” that lie ahead. He counted his successes thus: the signing of many executive orders, increased support for US industry and the military and his foreign policy positions on North Korea and Syria. There was no acknowledgement of his failure so far to raise money for work on constructing the wall he has vowed to build on the Mexican border.
In his typical in-your-face style of oratory, Mr Trump also ripped apart the media and his predecessor Barack Obama. He heaped scorn at CNN and the New York Times, decrying both as producers of fake news. The media is one of his favourite whipping boys; more so because it reviewed his 100-day record as poor and mixed. His administration and Republican Party has seen embarrassing setbacks on health care and a travel ban and there have been reversals on China as well as Nato. There is little doubt, however, on his successful ability to keep some of his campaign pledges such as appointing a conservative Supreme Court judge and pulling the country out of the Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement. Mr Trump boasted about his immigration policies, claiming that reinforced vetting was keeping America safe from terrorism.
In the coming weeks, Trump says he intends to make a decision on what he regards as a “one-sided” Paris climate accord. That will be catastrophic for the rest of the world which sees the pact as a deterrent against global warming.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 1st, 2017.
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