100 days down …1,361 to go
The first 100 days of a presidential administration has historically been given special attention. In the past, it has often been referred to as the “honeymoon period” – when a president is given special deference. Of course, that is not true if the President is Donald Trump. He was mercilessly attacked at the beginning of his first term – and even worse in his second.
In evaluating Trump’s first 100 days, we must understand that he came into office as a promised disrupter of the Washington establishment – and the way it has been doing business for generations. Couple that with the never-Trump Resistance Movement – fueled by hyper partisan Trump Derangement Syndrome – and you are bound to have partisan chaos. If there is something both sides can agree upon is that the times are characterized by political change — disruption and chaos, if you prefer.
If you look to polling for a modicum of clarity, you will be sorely disappointed. They change faster than the weather in Boston. They say that Trump is more popular than the Democrats, yet Democrats are leading in the generic ballot in terms of the 2026 midterm election. One day almost two-thirds of the people support Trump on immigration. Then most do not.
Most of the public debate over Trump and his policies is driven by partisan political narratives – with little attention to specific facts. It is too often disinformation.
Trump, himself, is most like Franklin Roosevelt — another strong-willed President, who disrupted the political order and created a lot of chaos in the process. It is no coincident that in signing 143 Executive Orders in his first 100 days Trump surpassed the previous record held by … yes … Franklin Roosevelt. They called him a dictator, too.
While the media accentuates the negative, Trump can claim a number of significant accomplishments.
Immigration
We can divide the immigration crisis into two issues – securing the border and dealing with the millions of illegal aliens who are already in the United States – especially the criminals.
In terms of securing the border, Trump has had phenomenal success. In fact, there is no longer a border crisis. There are no caravans of people trekking through Mexico. Illegal border crossing is a fraction of what it was during the Biden years Because border patrols can more effectively control the border, there has been a huge drop in both illegal crossings and got-aways. In terms of securing the border, Trump gets an A+.
Dealing with migrants currently in the country has been a more complicated issue. However, the Trump policy of focusing on criminals and those with court deportation orders has resulted in the deportation of more than 50,000 criminals and other undesirables as of April 1st — with another 50,000 in process. ICE is rounding up hundreds – and even thousands– of illegal aliens every day. In ridding the country of the worse of the worse, Trump policies have made communities across America safer. In terms of booting out a lot of nasty criminals, Trump gets another A+.
Then there is the issue of a handful of anecdotal cases that Democrats and the Trump haters dwell upon. There was that plane load of bad dudes that an activist Democrat judge wanted returned to the United States. According to the judge, the plane should have been called back. According to the Trump folks, the order came too late. And the judge’s order. Itself, is questionable.
The judge wants the 240 bad asses returned to America. This has raised the constitutional question as to whether one of the more than 700 federal district judges can issue a nationwide order impinging on a President’s constitutional authority. This will wind up in the Supreme Court. In the meantime, the deported criminals will remain in jail in El Salvadore. Give Trump an A for getting heinous criminals out of the country.
Then there is the case of Kilmer Abrego Garcia. He was put on the list of deportables by immigration judges for a number of reasons – including spousal abuse and MS13 ties — but not to El Salvador. He was mistakenly sent to El Salvadore. Trump claims that as long as El Salvadore refuses to release him, they have no power to bring him back no matter what a judge orders. And if Abrego Garcia was ever returned to the United States, he would be immediately deported to another country. He will most likely remain in El Salvadore – despite Democrat efforts to canonize Abrego Garcia and bring him back. The Trump administration gets a C+ for mishandling this case.
Finally, there is the issue of “deporting” U.S. citizens – specifically young children. In fact, they ae not being deported. They are leaving America with a parent or parents who are being deported. These are the birthright anchor babies. They could remain in America if the parents chose. Some parents have self-separated to get or keep their young children in the United States. It is the parents’ decision – not the determination of U.S. immigration. Are the critics suggesting forced separation – or just another reason not to deport undesirables? Trump policy regarding the children of deportees is common sense, and he gets a solid A.
The economy
This is an issue with many facets. Let us start with some basics.
The rate of inflation has been dropping throughout Trump’s 100 days in office, reaching 2.4 percent by March – very close to the Federal Reserve Bank’s target of 2 percent. Award Trump an A in the fight against inflation.
Contrary to Democrat claims, the cost of energy has dropped – and most see it at the gas pump. (The price at my local gas station dropped from $3.19 to $2.89 in the past two weeks.) This has been largely the result of Trump’s pro-oil policies. Another A for Trump.
The cost of many consumer goods – including those eggs – have also dropped, and the increase in others has slowed. This is a mixed bag (of groceries), so I give Trump a C.
If you listen closely, the Democrats fearmongering about prices is mostly speculation about future prices based on policies that may or may not be implemented.
Tariffs
Tariffs are where the word “chaos” seems most used. Everyone understands the problem. United States workers and businesses have been getting ripped off by tariffs imposed by other nations — and a range of other unfair trade practices, most notably by the Chinese. It has been going on for decades. Previous presidents have complained about it but did nothing to fix it.
Trump took on the world all at once. He imposed retaliatory, reciprocal and punitive tariffs on a massive scale – on friend and foe alike. He has threatened more – and eased up on some. Trump’s tweaking tariffs on almost a daily basis has set off a firestorm of anxiety and confusion. Markets went bonkers. His polling numbers plummeted.
It is fair to say that Trump may have bitten off more than he could chew in terms of tariffs. The road to fair trade practices on a global level has hit several bumps. It is yet uncertain as to which tariffs will survive and on which nations. This is not a done deal – and it is much too early to draw conclusions. We will not know the success or failure of Trump’s tariff gambit for months or years to come. In terms of tariffs, Trump gets an “incomplete” – with a D for how he has managed the issue.
Government reduction
This is another one in which all sides purport to understand that the cost and rate of federal government growth is unsustainable. Unless curtailed, it will lead to catastrophe collapse of the American economy in the future. But … there is no sanctum sanctorum more important to Democrats and those on the left than the size and power of the Washington establishment. While they pay lip service to the need to cut costs, Democrats resist every cost cutting measure. There is no department … no agency … no bureau … no commission that can be cut. There is no waste or fraud that can be eliminated. The cut of even one bureaucrat is deemed a national catastrophe by those on the left.
Elon Musk and DOGE
Trump took the challenge head on with the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the appointment of billionaire businessman Elon Musk to head it. The plan has been dogged by two mistakes. The first was over promising – proposing cuts in the budget of trillions of dollars in the near future was overly ambitious.
The second mistake was unforeseeable. It was Elon Musk. Rather than comporting himself as a serious businessman, he took on a cheerleader role – and on issues not related to government efficiency. He not only donated to the Republican candidate for the Wisconsin supreme court, but he also took to the stage – jumping up and down like a jack-in-the-box while wearing a cheese hat.
His worse performance was at the Conservative Political Action Conference when he pranced around the stage with a chainsaw. As a seasoned political consultant, I was stunned. The Trump administration tells the American public that the cuts in government are carefully considered … are surgical. The chainsaw imagery reinforced Democrats narrative that the DOGE people were running amok – slashing and cutting indiscriminately. I give Musk a D- for not understanding his role.
Beyond Musk, the DOGE team were doing good work in finding waste, inefficiency and even a bit of fraud. According to the record, they cut more than $170 billion in waste and inefficiency. It is far short of a trillion dollars they promised, but it is a good start — and the work goes on.
DOGE has made significant reductions in the federal work force. There has been a 40 percent reduction in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). They removed more than 11 million outdated Social Security records. (In the Democrat world, dead people are not only allowed to vote, but they also get Social Security checks. But I digress.) With the help of Cabinet secretaries, other government services are being audited for efficiency, waste and fraud. Cuts are being made in every department.
Whether in business or government, anytime you implement a reduction of force — and a decrease in budgets – you will wind up with lots of consternation and caterwauling from those affected.
Foreign affairs.
We have to grade that on and issue by issue basis.
Anyone following my commentaries will not be surprised that I give Trump an F in addressing the war in Ukraine. You do not stop maniacal empire builders by appeasement.
In terms of the war in Gaza – and the terrorist war in general – I give Trump a solid A. The Iranian terrorist network needs to be crushed, and Iran must not be allowed to have nuclear weapons … period. Trump is pursuing both of those objectives.
With regard to NATO, Trump gets a B for getting the member nations to meet their financial obligations. It would have been an A, but I think some of his language was unnecessarily undiplomatic.
His ideas of taking over the ports of the Panama Canal from the Chinese … annexing Greenland … and making Canada the 51st state have descending credibility and rationality. The first do have some potential rationality, but Trump’s failure to explain the reasons and the means undermined his credibility. The Canada things makes not sense. In terms of dealing with Panama, Greenland and Canada, I give him an D-.
Other issues
In addition to the BiG issues, Trump’s Executive Orders have covered an eclectic range of other issues. He declared that there is only to gender – man and woman. This will impact on everything from job applications to military service. As a specific gender issue, Trump ordered an end to biological males playing in women’s sports — and has threated to pull funding for schools and athletic associations that fail to comply.
He has ended the racist Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs … held up funding from the most prestigious universities for allow antisemitism to flourish on campuses … and freed up water for the arid southwest. Much to the chagrin of those on the far left, Trump has used the presidential bully pulpit to win concessions from academia, businesses, law firms and major media outlets.
Summary
The list of actions and accomplishments is too long for one commentary, but you get the idea. And yes… there is a lot of controversy and opposition – to be expected. But for the most part, Trump is succeeding in doing what voters elected him to do – tame the bureaucratic behemoth in Washington and ring down the curtain on the absurd woke policies of the past. To put American interests first.
The anti-Trump forces are calling his presidency of failure. Geez! We are just barely past the 100 day mark. While we cannot know the specifics of the future, we can know that the situation will change a lot over time. The road ahead for Trump is a lot longer than the road behind. Democrats seem to be claiming victory when the ballgame is still in the first half of the first inning.
So, there ‘tis.
GDP went negative in Trump’s first 100 days.
Last time this happened was during the Trump recession in his first term for two quarters.
Previous to Trump’s three negative quarters, the last negative was 2014 under Obama. Remember what you said about his economy?
To me, this is a major measure, and usually could blame his predecessor as Trump tried too. Clearly, that dog don’t hunt and Trump fully owns it.
Larry’s highlight of the good numbers is foreshadowed by the GDP and I am guessing by early June, we will pretty much be able to see the direction which, at this point, is not only questionable, but so many indicators the economy is going south.
Stop lying Dunger. You lie about everything you post. You’re nothing but a lying piece of shit. And I don’t see you moving the needle on Trump People aren’t buying into your bullshit. The so-called sources are from liberal rags or you misquoted someone. Face it. You’re a loser and so is your party. The polls are showing that Trump would win again.
U.T.I did not lie. You keep repeating this foolishness but never prove it. Because you can’t. You keep whining and bawling but can’t figure out how to prove it. You claim my sources are bad but can’t show that either so you keep calling names, crying wolf, but just can show any evidence.
You think this q’s negative gdp is a lie. Cool, act on it. Oh wait, your 491k is in the crapper, just like your statements here
And Trump’s polls are the lowest @ 100 days of any president since marking the hundred day benchmark.
If you’re credible you would be on main stream news. You’re just a version of Toyota rose with the propaganda machine. And look where it got her. Being an asshole comes naturally to some people and I think that you’re that guy or whatever. It’s ok to be an asshole. I’m an asshole. But you don’t have to be a lying asshole and especially one who hopes that the economy collapses just because you hate Trump. You’re worthless.
Seth: r u ok?
“If you’re credible you would be on main stream news” where you claim no one is credible? This statement defies logic on so many levels including your alleging that if you are on PBP, you are not credible. Or if you are credible, you should not be on PBP. Weird. Drugs? Did my calling you Meth make you fall off the wagon?
“You’re just a version of Toyota rose with the propaganda machine. And look where it got her.” Honda that big guy. Are you delusional? But thanks, I read up on TOKYO Rose and found out there is no Tokyo Rose, it’s a team. However, one became famous when trying to return to her homeland, the US, after being trapped behind enemy lines, unable to escape, and took A Tokyo Rose position to survive. It’s a great read, and yes, we lied, we pardoned, after we locked her up on false evidence. *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Rose* It’s a fascinating read, should be a movie.
“Being an asshole comes naturally to some people and I think that you’re that guy or whatever. It’s ok to be an asshole. I’m an asshole. But you don’t have to be a lying asshole and especially one who hopes that the economy collapses just because you hate Trump.” Ah, the philosophy of Seth: the asshole syndrome from a guy fascinated by the topic of the male asshole. But he lies: I have never hope for an economic collapse. People are already being hurt as this guy puts his pudgy, fat fingers on the economic scale and purposely picks winners and losers like a King. Economic upheavals of any kind hurt real people. Donny 2 Dolls telling them to sacrifice themselves, for him, when he puts absolutely nothing but his already tarnished reputation at risk, is sinful. I actually told you over a year ago how to mitigate that risk.
“You’re worthless.” Actually, I followed my own advice and today, I am actually not only worth more than I ever have been, but the income just keeps rolling along, like the energizer bunny. I make more than your salary and I don’t work. I don’t even buy n sell that much, just keep rolling those interest and dividend payments into new CDs. Although those days are ending as the Trump economy brings interest rates down. But OK for now.
What’s in your wallet, Seth? Moths?
As we enter recession, I for one, will be investing in good buys at great prices. However, I used to think this was a great time to get services at rock bottom prices. Fact is, that did not work well for me in the past. Seems only the strong survive, and they did not get that way by dropping trowel on price. But still redoing the kitchen, new electronic stove, it talks to my fridge I think. Twas a bear given it’s over slab and I needed to run new circuit. Hey, but my micro and toaster oven work together now without blowing a breaker. All stainless steel appliances, new floor, new dishwasher, new washer/dryer. I cannot operate anything anymore :>) But thanks to Trump and the great stock market crash, I day traded my way to free home improvements. Also will bring home to 100% pellet heat driven; no, I am not ending oil, but vastly reducing it.
Thanks Don!
And Seth, I hope you feel better. This one was a bit weird.
Dunger I know that Tokyo rose was more than one person. Probably democrats. And you mentioned your worth. Not very impressive. You should try inside trading like Nancy Pelosi aka nasty pussy.
Seth: I spell my name: danger. Of Course I could care less how low you go, it’s your choice. Keep up the fine work.
Yes, more than one Japanese is Tokyo Rose, so your “probably democrats” is a really bad joke unless you are really that stupid. One Tokyo Rose, I am guessing the one you are alluding to, was an American caught behind enemy lines and forced to do broadcasts. I can resonate to that it that my beloved FIL returned to Italy to take care of mom and five sisters. Trapped behind enemy lines, not able to email, phone, or write, his new wife declared him dead and moved on. He was stuck for over five years since when the war ended, the boats were all in need of retrofits from wartime activities. I imagined a stripped shirt, bandanna, beret festooned guerilla blowing up bridges when I asked: “Isadore, what did you do during the war.” He said: “slept.” “bwhaaaat?” I said. He answered: they starved us. We were either looking for food and when we couldn’t find it, we slept away the hunger. He protected them all. For Tokyo Rose, she attempted to make it a farce, but got tagged with the name Tokyo Rose from earlier dj’s blasting propaganda. She also smuggled food to American POWs in her spare time. After the war, she was detained a year by the military and released for lack of evidence and “innocuous” broadcasts. When she came back to the US, the mob got knicker knotted, probably Republicans looking to deport :>), FBI investigated, and she was tried for treason based on false evidence and testimony. Serving six of ten years, finally the truth came out later and she got a full pardon from Ford in 1977. Turned out two witnesses perjured themselves after FBI coaching, probably for kash :>) Sound familiar to some of the folks Republicans are deporting right now? Mob rule sucks. Walter Winchell led the charge. Democrats held the White House.
Great story, ought to be a movie.
For your question spot on the money. The impressive part is that my net worth is higher than ever while we are suffering negative GDP. I never mentioned a number to impress. And the fact is that I made a day-trader’s killing by leveraging Trump’s fat fingers placed on the economy which I am spending to raise the GDP :>). You mention insider trading, I did not. Who had to? Trump just gyrates the market with his stupid hands on the scale, I just anticipated he would jerk things around by being the bully, backing down, trying again, you know, normal Trump chaos. The day he hinted about blinking, I prepared for day trading for a huge profit big enough to cover what I noted. If there was any insider trading that day, it came from the White House; anyone who knew that Trump would blink could easily capitalize and I said, after that day, that I could have made so, so, much more if I had the few hours heads up as they did. If it wasn’t the age of Republicans, there would be an investigation. Pretty sure someone made a killing, illegally on insider trading.
But you deflected on answering a simple question: what’s in your wallet, Seth? Meh? I mean I showed you mine, highest ever. How are you doing under the Felon King? More money than ever? Lowest prices you have ever seen? Thirty dolls for Christmas? 250 pencils? (who uses a pencil anymore Don, much less 250?)
Don’t you think it odd that the Prince of Extravagance and Excess, surrounded in the White House by craven golden images is asking you to buy less, tighten your belt? Do it for the Don, take one for the Griper. You know he’s cutting back for you. Less gold, less golf, and he’s given up sex with Melanoma, well, that was decades ago, her choice :>) Some stated that I would be happy if the economy crashed, a lie. I did the opposite and recommended how to minimize your risk with Trump.
Recession is too little money, too little spending, no need to make things because people are not buying. Trump is literally begging you to buy less which will cause a recession. This is Hoover humor, I guess. He should really be careful what he asks for but he’s in a bind. He can’t win, and backing down while claiming victory looks tough this time. His attack on the economy looks as feckless as his attack on ObamaCare last term.
I will leave you with Hoover’s quote befitting for Donny 2 Dolls: “Once upon a time my opponents honored me as possessing the fabulous intellectual and economic power by which I created a worldwide depression all by myself.”
And the Hoover that Don McScrooge, the Felon King may be trying for: “Economic growth is not only unnecessary, but ruinous.” Well then, I guess that 1Q negative GDP is fucking-a-skippy to Don and Herbert. Don also had two negative quarters in 2020; I thought that was the last time, but I made a mistake: Biden had a single negative quarter after racking up over 7% in growth the quarter before. Then again, Biden hit 5.6, 6.4, 3.5 and 7.4 before the negatory. Trump, the businessman, has never hit over 4.8 and most often is around 3.
What a crock of shit you have written here Larry-based on this article I doubt you could pass one of those cognitive tests that trump is always bragging he aced. In a mere 100 days, the orange asshole has turned our once great USA into a disaster zone. Our Allie’s don’t trust us, we no longer treat people like people, rather they are ‘pawns’ to show dear leader’s toughness, the beautiful tariffs have thrown the world economy into shock. Yes, the price of gas is down-but somehow you failed to mention why-it’s because people believe a recession is coming-one caused by trump. There is zero change at the border between now and the last few months of Biden’s term, when Biden closed the border because the GOP (at trumps behest) would not back a bipartisan border bill. He is not ‘focusing’ on the bad guys in either his renditions or deportations-doesn’t seem to know whether he needs to follow the constitution or not, just does what ever comes into his addled brain. There is a reason that his popularity is slipping, due to the fact that people are waking up and realizing that the person they voted for is a complete idiot and is trying really hard to be a dictator. Obviously, you are one of the ones who is still asleep (but we knew that without you telling us…)