Detractors and supporters alike have said more than once that Donald J. Trump reminds them of P.T. Barnum, but the only difference is that the president’s followers mean it to be a compliment. Much like American showman, philanthropist, businessman, and politician Phineas Taylor Barnum, President Trump is not someone who can be easily pigeon-holed. That he is a man on a mission is evident after the first month of his second term closes out. So what can America – and the world, for that matter – expect from Mr. Trump as he sallies on down the road in month two of his presidency?
Trump and the New World Order
Because the president spent much of the time keeping his campaign promises to the American people in his first month as commander-in-chief, he will likely broaden his aperture and zero in on world affairs this month. That today, February 24, marks the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict is not lost on Trump. He’s already been in serious discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He has made no bones about the fact that he believes all the death and destruction in this far-away land must come to an end and plans to leverage US money and power to close out this sad chapter in history.
Trump is intent on making sure that American interests are advanced in any peace agreement – thus his effort to secure Ukrainian mineral rights. The New York Times reported that a stiffer deal is on the table than what was previously suggested: “The terms of the new proposal …. call for Ukraine to relinquish to the United States half of its revenues from natural resources, including minerals, gas, and oil, as well as earnings from ports and other infrastructure.” Any peace agreement will likely come with some benefit for the US because that’s just how Trump rolls.
Meanwhile, in the Mideast, it’s likely Hamas has not forgotten the 47th president’s promise that “all hell will break loose” unless they release all their hostages. To that end, Mr. Trump sent Secretary of State Marco Rubio to meet with Saudi Arabian officials to broker a deal. Following that meeting, “Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed a host of regional Arab leaders to Riyadh on Friday for what Saudi media described as an ‘informal brotherly gathering’ to discuss ‘cooperation and coordination,’” Breitbart reported.
Apparently, Arab leaders are scrambling to present a united front and counter a Trump-led initiative that would put the US in the driver’s seat by taking ownership of Gaza. The Arab leader’s meeting was very hush-hush, and the only public communique appeared to be a photo of the brothers standing shoulder to shoulder. Mr. Trump is likely undaunted, having had success in the Mideast last time around with the Abraham Accords. Still, he is doggedly working to straighten things out in the tumultuous region.
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch
Despite the many threads being woven together in the area of US foreign policy, President Trump is running his administration at warp speed here in the States, even against efforts by the loyal opposition to slow him down via the US court system.
Thousands of federal bureaucrats have been given pink slips, and thousands more are being forced to justify their employment by stating their accomplishments or else suffer the ax. Trump’s controversial DOGE agency, which exists to streamline the federal bureaucracy and save the taxpayer money by cutting “waste, fraud, and abuse,” doesn’t appear to be slowing down, despite non-stop efforts by Democrats to keep the dysfunctional system in place.
Meanwhile, the controversial government program that imposed diversity, equity, and inclusion upon the American public experienced a swift death across government, academic, and cultural institutions. As well, leftist media personalities and their corresponding outlets are quickly trying to stanch the bleeding of their rapidly shrinking audience. Just yesterday, February 23, leftist darlings Joy Reid and Alex Wagner were given the heave-ho at MSNBC, which is undergoing a significant programming overhaul.
One More Thing
In the second month of his presidency, economic pressures continue to haunt the Trump administration. As this is a huge issue for the president – and much like the RMS Titanic, the ship cannot be turned quickly and easily – he will need to focus on what can be done in the short term to help Americans bear the cross of inflation. This will be Donald Trump’s greatest challenge in the short term, but all indications are that he’s up to the job.
In the 2017 movie The Greatest Showman, actress Keala Settle belted out a song called “This Is Me.” It could be said that some of the lyrics in this command performance could be applied to President Trump as he moves into the unpredictable month of March:
When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I'm meant to be, this is me.
Look out 'cause here I come
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum
I'm not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me.
