A shaky start

DONALD Trump’s second term in the White House has begun with turbulence rather than triumph. As he marks his 100th day in office today, signs of public disillusionment are unmistakable. Approval ratings are sliding and dissatisfaction is growing across key voter groups, including women, Hispanic Americans and independents — audiences he can ill afford to lose. Trump’s return was fuelled by strong initial support, but the early optimism has faded. His aggressive moves on tariffs and promises to revive the economy have triggered market volatility and inflation concerns. Confidence in his economic stewardship — once his political stronghold — is showing visible cracks.

Meanwhile, his hardline immigration policies have further polarised public opinion. Sweeping executive actions and mass deportations have sparked legal challenges and public protests, deepening divisions without delivering comprehensive solutions. Among younger and minority voters, resentment has hardened. On the world stage, Trump’s foreign policy has been equally disruptive. Relations with traditional allies have cooled, as his ‘America First’ approach reasserts itself with little regard for diplomatic nuance. His provocative musings — such as annexing Greenland or reclaiming the Panama Canal — may play to his base, but they unsettle partners abroad and reinforce fears of American unpredictability.

Trump’s signature style — headline-grabbing gestures over careful governance — is increasingly wearing thin. His loyal Republican base remains steadfast, but broader national trust is eroding. A presidency cannot survive, let alone succeed, on partisanship alone. The first 100 days are an early glimpse into the road ahead. In Trump’s case, they paint a portrait of a President struggling to expand beyond his core supporters, tangled in economic troubles, immigration controversies and foreign policy missteps. Unless a serious course correction is made, his remaining tenure could be even more turbulent.

Editorials