Donald Trump has been President of the United States for one month. During this short period, one can already get a feel of what his presidency will be like.
In many media outlets, he has been reviled and pilloried for many of his actions. A mutual element of distrust and aversion divides President Trump and the media. The news coverage of his first few weeks in office is largely negative. His seemingly belligerent press secretary, Sean Spicer, has done little to improve the image of the Trump administration.
To his detractors, he is heralding a new age of divisiveness and hatred. Some of his policies are easy targets; “the wall” and “the Muslim ban” have been caricatured and criticised in the media. He is also an easy man to parody. He is thin skinned and is therefore prone to react disproportionately to such satire.
His administration has, so far, been subject to numerous protests. The day after his inauguration, protests broke out in the US and across various capitals around the globe. This reaction was somewhat puzzling; Trump had done very little except follow the legal and constitutional provisions which led to his election and inauguration as president.
Many of the protestors have a problem with what Trump stands for. He symbolises everything they despise; he is brash, loud, not intellectual, politically incorrect and un-presidential. They dislike the policies he promotes; they perceive them to be racist, misogynistic and counter-productive.
However, the key to understanding Trump lies in the way he comes across to his supporters rather than how his detractors perceive him. He speaks to a disenfranchised segment of the population.
They include blue collar workers who see no benefit in the creation of green jobs and international trade, the white collar middle class whose values and way of life have been mocked mercilessly by a detached liberal media, and individuals who are genuinely concerned about the security implications of migration.
They are a segment of the population who are often described as being stupid, provincial, racist, homophobic and misogynistic simply for not subscribing to the liberal conventions of the day. This name-calling may backfire on those who seek to reverse what Trump stands for and his policies.
Trump’s actions have not yet produced any surprises. If anything, the greatest surprise is that no one expected him to follow through with most of his electoral promises, particularly the most controversial ones. Nonetheless, the execution of these initiatives has been, at best, chaotic. His approval ratings have plummeted further, and his attacks on various institutions have, justifiably, raised eyebrows.
The President also seems reluctant to let go of his social media accounts. His prolific and inappropriate use of Twitter continued even after his inauguration. This will undoubtedly be a regular source of controversy.
Trump’s prolific and inappropriate use of Twitter will undoubtedly be a regular source of controversy
The rallying cry of “America First” was initially perceived to signal the beginning of a more isolationist stance. In his first month in office, Trump has had four significant meetings with international leaders.
The first head of government to travel to Washington was British Prime Minister Theresa May. Her visit was perceived to signal the continuation of the “special relationship” between the two nations. Beyond the rhetoric and the constructed myths, there is some truth in the significance of this relationship.
May’s speech to the Republican Retreat Convention in Philadelphia was particularly significant. She reiterated the mutual political interests shared by both countries but stated that there would be no military interventions in far-flung destinations to assert such values. Military intervention will only take place “when the threat is real and when it is in our own interests to intervene”.
The second world leader to meet President Trump was Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Trump’s protectionist trade policies are likely to aid China; his withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership is likely to damage Japan economically. However, both leaders pledged greater economic cooperation.
The Japanese Prime Minister hinted at possible Japanese investment in the technology sector, particularly with regards to high-speed trains. Trump, in turn, pledged his support for Japanese sovereignty over the contentious Senkaku Islands claimed by China. Trump and Abe seem to share a good personal rapport which undoubtedly contributed to the fairly cordial atmosphere during this meeting.
The situation between Canada and the United States is radically different. Both governments have opposing visions on some vital matters including migration and international trade. Justin Trudeau’s visit to Washington could have turned into an embarrassing affair for both parties.
However, both leaders appeared calm and cordial. Despite the fact the two countries have often had conflicting policies, Canada remains the single largest destination for US exports. Trump seems keen to build on this mutually-beneficial legacy.
On the other hand, Trump’s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed to signal a break with previous US administrations. He enjoys the respect of the Israeli Prime Minister – perhaps more than his predecessor ever did.
Trump led his audience to believe that US support for the two-state solution may cease. This was not well received by the international community. However, the time has come to begin to question the viability of a two-state solution. The radical differences which divide Fatah and Hamas may jeopardise any such solution.
Moreover, the construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank also hinders the peace process. In this regard, Trump startled Netanyahu by publically declaring that he’d like to see him “hold back on settlements for a little bit”.
It is too early to tell whether Trump will be successful. Expectations are low and, perhaps, there are many who are hoping that his presidency will end in abject failure. However, his failure will have wide-ranging implications. After one month in office, one thing is certain: the next four years will be chaotic.
andre.deb@gmail.com
André DeBattista is an independent researcher in the field of politics and international relations.