Qamar Bashir
On the 100th day of his second term, President Donald J. Trump delivered a defiant and self-congratulatory Oval Office interview. Yet beneath the polished setting and forceful rhetoric, the exchange revealed glaring contradictions, unfulfilled promises, and deepening public unease. Trump, ever the political showman, projected strength—but his words betrayed a leadership style increasingly detached from facts, norms, and national priorities.
President Trump claimed that under his leadership, the U.S. economy was “booming,” citing Apple’s $500 million investment and $7 to $8 trillion in foreign investments within just two months. However, these boasts lacked corroboration and overlooked the damage caused by his aggressive tariff policies. Trump touted a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, likening it to an “embargo,” and insisted that “China will eat the tariffs.” But analysts disagree. Moody’s and multiple economic think tanks estimate that these tariffs could cost American households thousands annually.
Instead of lowering inflation as promised, Trump’s protectionist measures have worsened supply chain costs and raised prices for consumer goods like clothing, electronics, and housing materials. Yet Trump dis missed these concerns, saying, “Everything’s going to be just fine,” and shifted blame entirely to his predecessor, Joe Biden. His assurance that “people did sign up for this” rings hollow as working-class families and small businesses bear the brunt of his economic experiments.
Trump boasted of dramatic price reductions—like eggs being “down 87%” and gas prices hitting “$1.98”—without citing sources. These figures appear to be cherry-picked or unverified. Economists argue that his tariffs and abrupt economic policies have contributed more to instability than recovery. His promise to “bring prices down on day one” remains largely unmet, and when challenged with facts, Trump brushed them aside with: “You don’t know that.”
Trump’s trade war rhetoric ignored the plight of small businesses that rely on affordable imports. These businesses, once thriving on a global supply model, now face extinction due to rising costs. When pressed about their concerns, Trump doubled down: “I could’ve had an easy time, but then the country would have imploded.”
Despite his claim that the trade deficit has shrunk rapidly, he offered no supporting data. Nor did he acknowledge how tariffs have disrupted long-term commercial planning and manufacturing. His handling of the economy continues to prioritize short-term populist applause over sustainable economic strategy.
On immigration, Trump claimed illegal crossings had “plummeted 99.9%.” He painted a picture of a country overrun by criminals, asserting that 21 million undocumented people had entered the U.S. Again, no data was provided to support this number.
When asked if deportees were given legal hearings, Trump vacillated. He questioned the feasibility of 21 million hearings, brushing aside due process rights guaranteed under U.S. law. His administration even deported Kilmar Brego Garcia—a Salvadoran man under legal protection—prompting a Supreme Court ruling to return him. Trump dismissed the judgment as a mistake by an “incompetent” judge and refused to commit to complying with the order.
He further defended mass deportations to El Salvador despite many deportees lacking criminal records. When reminded of Joe Rogan’s criticism—that the U.S. risks becoming monstrous while fighting monsters—Trump nodded but quickly returned to his narrative of criminal invasions. Due process, to him, seems secondary to political theater.
Trump referred to the war in Ukraine as “Biden’s war,” repeatedly claiming that it would never have happened under his watch. He described a symbolic meeting with President Zelensky at Saint Peter’s Basilica, suggesting it offered hope. Yet in the same breath, he speculated that Putin “might be tapping me along,” contradicting his earlier assertion that Putin wanted peace.
He refused to confirm whether the U.S. would continue military aid to Ukraine, calling it “a big fat secret.” This ambiguity risks U.S. credibility and complicates alliance diplomacy. Asked whether he trusts Putin, Trump deflected: “I don’t trust a lot of people. I don’t trust you.” His praise of Putin’s respect for him raises further doubts about Trump’s geopolitical judgment.
Trump was also asked about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was under scrutiny for discussing classified operations on Signal. Trump described him as “smart” and “highly educated,” but when asked if he had full confidence in him, replied, “I don’t have 100% confidence in anything.” This hedging adds to growing concerns about the competence and cohesion of Trump’s second-term cabinet.
He continued to defend DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), which has cut billions in what Trump calls wasteful spending. Yet these cuts affected critical institutions such as the NIH, global health programs, and foreign aid. Trump celebrated saving $150 billion but ignored the humanitarian and research setbacks. He even admitted that some programs might be reinstated due to oversight.
One of the most troubling aspects of Trump’s first 100 days is his use of presidential power for apparent personal retribution. He revoked security clearances and targeted law firms that represented his political opponents. He openly admitted that these firms “paid hundreds of millions” to avoid his wrath and declared, “They just signed whatever I put in front of them.”
When asked whether this behavior resembled authoritarianism, Trump deflected by framing himself as the victim. “There has never been a president persecuted like I was,” he insisted. He justified his actions by portraying others as “crooked” and “dishonest,” refusing to recognize any overreach on his part.
Trump’s offhand remarks about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state during a Canadian election stirred backlash. When asked if this harmed America’s global reputation, he countered, “We’re respected again.” He mocked President Biden’s physical stumbles and doubled down on claims of a stolen 2020 election, further eroding faith in democratic norms.
He dismissed concerns about growing executive power, saying, “I’m making America great again,” and suggested that his return was a national resurgence. Yet this self-narrative—built on grievance, inflated claims, and unchecked power—has done little to heal the institutional and civic wounds of the last four years.
Trump’s 100-day report card is less a record of accomplishment and more a litany of distortions, deflections, and power plays. His reliance on anecdotal victories, exaggerated claims, and loyalty tests reflect an administration prioritizing optics over outcomes. While Trump insists he’s fixing what was broken, his approach is breaking the very mechanisms of law, diplomacy, and accountability that sustain democratic governance.
Rather than restoring greatness, Trump’s early second-term agenda has exposed the fragility of the nation’s institutions under his grip. His promises remain largely unfulfilled, his economic strategies deeply polarizing, and his leadership style increasingly authoritarian. For a nation yearning for progress, these 100 days have offered little more than déjà vu laced with danger.
Qamar Bashir
Press Secretary to the President (Rtd)
Former Press Minister at Embassy of Pakistan to France
Former MD, SRBC
Macomb, Detroit, Michigan
