DONALD TRUMP: SUPERB IN ALL THINGS? ALL GOOD? ALL BAD? OR..... GOOD IN PARTS?
Trump the enigma. To many he has a god-like status, a man destined to save their nation. To others he is akin to the Devil himself, an obnoxious beast, a racist and the enemy of America. Which is it?
Is there a single person on the planet who can claim to know the mind of Donald Trump and so be able to predict his actions with anything approaching accuracy?
For some Donald Trump is a long awaited miracle, an unalloyed hero with a level of insight above and beyond genius level. In fact Donald trump has asserted that yes, he is a “very stable genius”. For others he is almost worse that the Devil incarnate, a fascist, a racist, a piece of Nazi scum who can do no right and is as thick as a plank.
How to reconcile these two views? This of course is quite clearly impossible.
First, the positive aspects of Trump as seen by those not completely devoted to him right or wrong but who are willing to believe he just might do the right and, for them, the most important things overall:
For those somewhat less enthusiastic than his most fervid supporters, Trump continues to be a potential positive influence, though he is now being seen in this light with increasing reservations.
1. Trump stated that he wished to establish better relations with Russia and the Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Although Donald Trump has met and talked with Vladimir Putin several times nothing of major substance has occurred which fundamentally changed the relationship between the USA and Russia.
In regard to Ukraine Trump authorized the delivery of lethal weaponry to the then Ukrainian regime in 2017, something Obama had refused to sign off on.
Google AI:
Donald Trump authorized the first official delivery of lethal weaponry to Ukraine
in late 2017. This marked a significant policy shift from the Obama administration, which had previously restricted U.S. support to non-lethal aid to avoid escalating tensions with Russia.
2. Trump claimed to be averse to involving the USA in any further foreign military interventions/regime change wars. He appeared to want to end the ‘Forever War’ foreign policy mentality that infected the George W. Bush presidencies.
3. Trump is seen by those whose special interest is geopolitics, as being anti-globalist.
4. Many continue to see Trump as a president intent on disrupting the influence of the 1% Oligarch class of the USA and their influence through the U.S. military industrial complex and the established political elite in Washington. They consider Trump is seen as an enemy by the U.S. foreign policy establishment (‘The Blob’), the FBI and the U.S. intelligence services. Others believe Trump is overly influenced by these same powerful groups.
Google AI:
Donald Trump’s policy toward globalism is defined by an explicit rejection of multilateralism in favor of national sovereignty and “America First” realism. During his second term in 2025 and 2026, he has accelerated efforts to dismantle the post-Cold War international order.
Those above who have a qualified positive attitude toward Trump have had some of their views shaken by his recent foreign policy decisions:
1. The military attack upon Venezuela and the abduction of its president.
2. The failure of Trump to end weapon transfer and military intelligence support for the Ukrainian regime. (Though direct supply of weaponry and most financial support has ended weapons are now supplied to NATO then to the regime after purchase from the USA. Intelligence support continues unabated allowing precise targeting of strategic assets deep within the Russian Federation.)
3. A distinct change in rhetoric from statements promoting peace to far more aggressively interventionist pronouncements indicating a more warlike footing has been adopted. (While previously talking up peace Donald Trump has renamed the U.S. Department of Defense the Department of War and Pete Hegseth became the U.S. Secretary of War. Hegseth further emphasized an apparent reversal in policy toward an aggressive, militaristic foreign policy in a recent address to U.S. army chiefs.)
4. Trump has enthusiastically supported the current Israeli regime in its genocidal policies against the Palestinian population of Gaza.
For the MAGA base Trump appears to be an increasing disappointment for some of the same reasons as listed above. He promised to change America’s foreign policy away from expending blood and treasure abroad to a concentration on improving conditions at home. In recent months it has become clear that hopes in this direction are likely to be in vain.
For those who despise Trump the creation of ICE and its militaristic treatment of those it apprehends has been a major point of criticism, especially so since the unlawful killing of Renee Nicole Good.
Issues such as price inflation, targeted, spurious investigations (eg. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell), the dismantling of checks and balances, a growing authoritariansim, constant racist rhetoric against immigrants and refugees, mass deportations, the replacement of officials by political loyalists and international adventurism (Greenland, Venezuela and potentially Cuba, Colombia and Nicaragua), and the general flouting of international law.
And in addition to the above, the U.S. economy remains constantly an issue of contention.
Google AI:
Economic Performance
Despite Trump’s focus on economic figures, critics point to stubbornly high inflation and lackluster job growth during his first year back in office.
“One Big Beautiful Bill”: Congressional opponents criticize his signature budget reconciliation measure for including deep healthcare cuts that they argue harm the middle class while primarily benefiting the wealthy.
Tariff Backlash: Domestic businesses and international allies criticize his use of universal tariffs, which opponents say have increased the cost of living and “shattered” the post-war global trade framework.
Summary of Major Protests
On January 20, 2026 (the first anniversary of his second inauguration), thousands participated in the “Free America Walkout”. Protesters in cities like Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., used the slogan “No ICE, no KKK, no fascist USA” to express their primary fear: that the administration is sliding toward authoritarianism.
TRUMP’S FIRST TERM
Trump made a number of election pledges during his first, successful run for president. Those who saw him as their hero were delighted.
1. He would “drain the swamp” in Washington.
2. Put Hilary Clinton in jail.
3. Build a wall on the Mexico-U.S. border and make Mexico pay for it.
4. Repeal Obamacare.
5. Eliminate the national debt (over eight years).
6. Boost the gross domestic product figure for the USA to at least 4%.
Of these six promises Trump partially fulfilled the third. (Four hundred and fifty miles were built but the majority replaced existing fencing rather than extending the wall into new territory. Furthermore, he failed to secure funding from Mexico and instead used a national emergency declaration to reallocate U.S. military funds.)
The third promise to eliminate the national debt over eight years remains inconclusive as Joe Biden took the presidency from him in 2020. However, the trend was not in the direction Trump had predicted for his presidency:
What was the U.S. national debt when Donald Trump began his first term as U.S. president and what did it stand at when he lost the presidency?
Google AI:
When Donald Trump began his first term on January 20, 2017, the U.S. gross national debt was approximately $19.95 trillion. By the end of his term on January 20, 2021, it had risen to approximately $27.75 trillion.
What was the U.S. national debt when Donald Trump began his second term as U.S. president and what does it stand at today?
Google AI:
When Donald Trump began his second term on January 20, 2025, the U.S. gross national debt was approximately $36.22 trillion. As of today, January 22, 2026, the debt stands at approximately $38.85 trillion.
Trump did fulfill some of his pre-election promises however.
Google AI:
Major Promises Fulfilled
Judicial Reshaping: Trump fulfilled a cornerstone promise by appointing three Supreme Court justices (Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett) and confirming over 200 conservative federal judges.
Tax Reform: He signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which slashed the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%.
Deregulation: His administration implemented a “one-in, two-out” rule for federal regulations, removing roughly eight regulations for every new one adopted by 2020.
Trade and Foreign Policy: He withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Paris Climate Agreement, and replaced NAFTA with the USMCA.
TRUMP’S CURRENT TERM
What were Donald Trump’s main promises to attract voters when he ran and won the U.S. presidency for the second time in 2024?
Google AI:
In his 2024 campaign, Donald Trump centered his platform on “Make America Great Again” (MAGA), focusing on economic relief, strict border control, and a return to “America First” foreign policy. His victory followed a strategic emphasis on high inflation and perceived instability under the previous administration.
Core Economic Promises
Voters’ frustration with the cost of living was a decisive factor in Trump’s win.
“End Inflation”: He pledged to “end the inflation nightmare” on day one and make America affordable again.
Targeted Tax Cuts: A cornerstone of his appeal was the promise of “No Tax on Tips”, as well as ending taxes on overtime pay and Social Security benefits.
Energy Dominance: Under the mantra “Drill, Baby, Drill,” Trump promised to slash energy and electricity prices by 50% within 12 to 18 months by unleashing domestic fossil fuel production.
Universal Tariffs: He proposed a 10%–20% “universal baseline tariff” on most foreign imports and up to 60% on goods from China to protect U.S. manufacturing.
Immigration and Border Security
Immigration was arguably the most prominent issue of his campaign.
Mass Deportations: He vowed to launch the “largest deportation operation in American history” to remove millions of undocumented immigrants.
Seal the Border: Trump promised to “seal the border” and complete the construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall.
End Birthright Citizenship: He pledged to sign an executive order on his first day to end automatic citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants.
Travel Bans: He promised to reinstate and expand travel bans on certain “terror-plagued” and Muslim-majority countries.
Government and Social Policy
Trump campaigned on a platform of radical reform to the federal bureaucracy.
“Drain the Swamp”: He promised to dismantle the “deep state” by reintroducing Schedule F, an executive order that would strip civil service protections from thousands of federal workers to allow for their firing.
Department of Government Efficiency: He pledged to appoint Elon Musk to lead a commission to audit the entire federal government and cut trillions in “waste”.
Education Reform: A key promise was to eliminate the Department of Education and return full control of schools to the states.
Cultural Issues: He vowed to end “woke” ideology in government and the military, ban gender-affirming care for minors, and keep “men out of women’s sports”.
Foreign Policy and Law Enforcement
Ending Foreign Wars: Trump claimed he could end the war in Ukraine “in 24 hours” and promised to restore peace in the Middle East.
Jan. 6 Pardons: He promised to pardon many of those charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack, referring to them as “hostages”.
War on Cartels: He proposed using military assets, including a naval embargo, to “wage war” on Mexican drug cartels and human traffickers, even suggesting the death penalty for traffickers.
How is Donald Trump currently doing in respect of his promises seeking election as president in 2024?
Google AI:
One year into his second term, Donald Trump has aggressively moved to fulfill his core 2024 campaign promises through executive orders and the One Big Beautiful Bill. While his administration touts “365 wins in 365 days,” his performance remains deeply polarizing, with critics pointing to rising costs and legal controversies.
1. Economy and Inflation
Trump campaigned on “ending the inflation nightmare” and lowering costs.
Tax Relief: He signed the One Big Beautiful Bill in mid-2025, which permanently extended his 2017 tax cuts and introduced new deductions for tips and Social Security income.
Inflation Status: Official reports show inflation fell to 2.7% by December 2025. However, critics argue grocery and housing prices remain high, and some economists warn that his new tariffs are keeping the cost of living elevated.
Gasoline vs. Electricity: Gasoline prices dropped about 20% over the year to an average of $2.81/gallon. Conversely, electricity rates have continued to rise, leaving his promise to “cut energy bills in half” only partially met.
2. Immigration and Border Security
This has been the most active area of his second term, marked by record-breaking enforcement.
Mass Deportations: ICE arrests surged from 300 to over 1,000 per day, with the detention population hitting a record high of 70,000. The administration has recently expanded operations into states like Maine and Minnesota.
Border Wall: Funds from his signature 2025 bill have accelerated construction, with over $11 billion already obligated for new wall sections.
Legal Pathways: His administration has terminated multiple legal pathways, including Humanitarian Parole and certain Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations.
3. “Drill, Baby, Drill” and Energy
On his first day, Trump declared a “national energy emergency” to bypass environmental regulations.
Production: He approved nearly 6,000 drilling permits on federal and Native American lands, a 55% increase from the previous year.
Deregulations: The administration scrapped Biden-era EV mandates, saving an estimated $7.5 billion, and reinvested $625 million into the coal industry.
Nuclear: He has pushed a “Make Nuclear Energy Great Again” initiative, with several reactors set to come online by July 4, 2026.
4. Dismantling the “Deep State”
Trump has moved swiftly to restructure the federal government.
Bureaucracy Cuts: He significantly reduced the Department of Education workforce and eliminated roughly $1.7 billion in grants related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Executive Control: He reinstated Schedule F, allowing for the reclassification and potential firing of thousands of career civil servants to ensure loyalty.
5. Foreign Policy
Trump claims to have “ended eight unendable wars,” though fact-checkers describe these claims as exaggerated.
Ukraine: He has proposed a 30-day ceasefire that has been “accepted in principle,” though a final peace deal remains elusive.
Alliances: He has pivoted toward transactional diplomacy, notably pressuring NATO allies for higher spending while pursuing a “framework deal” for Greenland.
You will have a view on Trump. Was he: Good? Bad? Wonderful? Abysmal?
Or, like the curate’s egg... good in parts?
Could Donald Trump be talked of with merit in regard to the saying about the curate’s egg being “good in parts”?
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Google AI:
In political and media commentary as of early 2026, the idiom of the “curate’s egg” (something “good in parts”) is frequently applied to Donald Trump’s presidency to analyze his polarizing impact on policy, diplomacy, and the economy.
Merit of the Analogy in 2026
Commentators use the phrase to describe the starkly divergent outcomes of his administration, where perceived successes coexist with widely criticized actions.
Foreign Policy and Military Action: His “Maduro gambit” (the extraction of Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela in early 2026) has been explicitly labeled a “curate’s egg”.
The “Good”: Supporters cite the near-perfect military execution with no loss of American life as a merit.
The “Bad”: Critics view it as a dangerous precedent that “throttled what remained of international law,” creating a “lawless world”.
The Economy: Analysts often present a “mixed bag” assessment of his economic platform.
The “Good”: His administration touts a strong stock market and promises a better outlook for 2026 based on deregulation and tax extensions.
The “Bad”: These are offset by a four-year high in unemployment as of late 2025 and widespread public disapproval (54%) of his handling of the economy.
Legislative and Judicial Impact:
The “Good”: He is credited with long-sought conservative victories, including a reshaping of the federal judiciary and significant corporate tax cuts.
The “Bad”: These same actions are described by detractors as damaging to the federal workforce and democratic checks and balances.
Public Perception
The “good in parts” description reflects a deeply divided electorate. As of January 2026, roughly 20% of voters view him as one of the best presidents in history, while 42% view him as one of the worst.
The analogy is particularly apt because, like the original curate in the Punch cartoon, those who wish to find merit in Trump’s presidency often isolate specific results (like judicial appointments) from the broader, more controversial “whole” of his governance style.
DONALD TRUMP: SUPERB IN ALL THINGS? ALL GOOD? ALL BAD? OR..... GOOD IN PARTS?
