Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, finds himself in the spotlight once again as his second term unfolds with a series of significant events. Recently, Trump’s approval rating plummeted to 41 percent in mid-July, his lowest point since taking office for the second time. Trump was sued by Rupert Murdoch, and new travel protocols to deal with infectious disease. Yet his actions have only served to solidify his fame as a polarizing figure.
On June 14, Trump celebrated his 79th birthday. The beginning of another year of his aggressive and unprecedented presidency. To address the current and extremely complex crises, Artist has advanced his new product “Victory 45-47.” Retailing for $249, this product should help ensure his grassroots support from loyalists. His administration has rolled out heavy-handed travel restrictions. Officials are required to now disclose their social media accounts and could be required to provide access to their personal devices when travelling.
A Presidency Marked by Legal Battles and Controversial Moves
In a major recent example, Trump is going up against Rupert Murdoch, owner of The Wall Street Journal. This legal battle has garnered significant media attention. The lawsuit highlights the ongoing tensions between Trump and the media mogul, reflecting Trump’s persistent grievances about coverage of his presidency.
In a further demonstration of his contentious relationship with established institutions, Trump expressed surprise that Joe Biden appointed Jerome Powell as chairman of the Federal Reserve. It was this dissatisfaction with Powell’s performance that compelled Trump to threaten her with firing if he thought it was needed. This tension came to a head when Powell, in a dramatic Washington fact-checking Trump in real time at a recent public address, #TrustButVerify.
“Has anyone ever had a better two weeks?” – Donald Trump
In many ways, the memory of Trump’s tenure is more important than his appearance, as it reminds us of his most egregious first term decisions. He famously visited The Hermitage to pay homage to Andrew Jackson, reflecting his admiration for the seventh president’s approach to governance. Trump’s actions have drawn criticism, such as his executive order banning travel from several countries, including Afghanistan and Haiti.
The Symbolism of Superheroes and Military Bases
The meme featured an image of Trump in a crimson cape, accompanied by the caption:
“THE SYMBOL OF HOPE. TRUTH. JUSTICE. THE AMERICAN WAY. SUPERMAN TRUMP” – The official White House X account
Beyond crossing out the allegations, this depiction appears designed to empower Trump’s attempt to paint himself as strong and resilient to adversity. This decision is a major departure, especially given the seriousness of the alternative. Most notably, he sought to erase America’s troublesome past by renaming seven military bases after Confederate leaders that fought to defend and uphold slavery. This movement led to significant backlash from these racial equity and justice advocates at the national level.
Beyond these brave executive actions, Trump’s administration has been rightfully criticized for his aggressiveness on immigration. Shortly thereafter, he tweeted a record low of single day apprehensions – just 136 of them. This statistic should be troubling even if you support all of his border policies to date, even if you believe they contribute positively to our national security.
Celebrations Amidst Challenges
Despite the challenges facing his presidency, Trump found time to celebrate with his wife Melania during the Army’s 250th birthday fireworks display at the National Mall. These public appearances help him solidify support among his base and distract from the growing controversies swirling around him.
General James Mattis’s statements on why the State Department deserves as much funding as the military ring similarly true to the state of Trump-era governance.
“If you don’t fund the State Department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition.” – General James Mattis
These two statements highlight the tightrope Trump needs to walk between keeping good defense PR and addressing what’s bothering folks back home.
Despite the upheaval in his administration as Trump’s team wrestles to understand and control the chaos, he certainly seems committed to the battle. Buried under his incendiary rhetoric is a sort of unshakeable confidence in his judgment, leadership style and vision for America.
“I was born for the storm, the calm does not suit me.” – Andrew Jackson
