Here’s a list of 50 points detailing decisions, actions, and perceptions of Donald Trump during his presidency that have been widely criticised, highlighting domestic and international issues:
Domestic Policies and Decisions
1. Mishandling the COVID-19 Pandemic: Downplayed the severity, promoted unproven treatments, and undermined health experts, contributing to high death tolls.
2. Family Separation Policy: Enforced a zero-tolerance immigration policy that separated thousands of children from their parents at the border.
3. Capitol Insurrection: His rhetoric and refusal to accept the 2020 election results incited the January 6 Capitol attack.
4. Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement: Weakened the U.S. role in combating climate change.
5. Tax Cuts for the Wealthy: Signed the 2017 tax bill, disproportionately benefiting corporations and the wealthy while ballooning the deficit.
6. Election Lies: Promoted baseless claims of election fraud, undermining faith in U.S. democracy.
7. Use of Pardons: Granted clemency to loyalists like Michael Flynn and Steve Bannon, raising ethical concerns.
8. Lack of Infrastructure Progress: Failed to deliver on his promise of a major infrastructure overhaul.
9. DACA Repeal Attempt: Tried to end protections for Dreamers, causing uncertainty for thousands of young immigrants.
10. Postmaster General Appointment: Installed Louis DeJoy, who slowed mail delivery during an election reliant on mail-in ballots.
11. Charlottesville Comments: Claimed there were “very fine people on both sides” after a white supremacist rally.
12. Environment Rollbacks: Undid numerous Obama-era environmental protections, including clean water and air standards.
13. Hurricane Dorian Map Alteration: Misrepresented a storm’s path and pressured NOAA to support his false claims.
14. Police Brutality Protests: Responded aggressively, using federal troops against protesters in Washington, D.C.
15. Rejection of Science: Repeatedly dismissed expert advice on climate change and public health.
16. Undermining the Census: Attempted to exclude undocumented immigrants from apportionment counts.
17. Withholding Military Aid to Ukraine: For political gain, leading to his first impeachment.
18. Weakening Consumer Protections: Dismantled Obama-era regulations on predatory lenders.
19. Nepotism: Appointed Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner to senior advisory roles despite their lack of qualifications.
20. Conflict of Interest: Profited from his presidency through his businesses, including hosting events at Trump properties.
21. Ignoring Russian Bounties: Failed to respond to intelligence that Russia offered bounties to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.
22. Census Citizenship Question: Tried to add a citizenship question, which critics argued aimed to suppress minority participation.
23. Pushing Conspiracy Theories: Spread unfounded claims about political opponents and public figures.
International Policies and Actions
24. Withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear Deal: Alienated allies and escalated tensions with Iran without a clear alternative plan.
25. Cozying Up to Dictators: Praised leaders like Kim Jong-un, Vladimir Putin, and Rodrigo Duterte.
26. Undermining NATO: Criticised NATO allies and threatened to pull out, weakening international alliances.
27. Trade War with China: Hurt U.S. farmers and manufacturers through tariffs without achieving major concessions.
28. G7 Summit Disruptions: Alienated allies by suggesting Russia rejoin the group.
29. Weak Response to Khashoggi Murder: Downplayed Saudi Arabia’s role in the journalist’s killing, prioritising arms deals.
30. Abandoning the Kurds: Pulled U.S. troops from Syria, leaving Kurdish allies vulnerable to Turkish attacks.
31. Alienating Europe: Strained relationships with European leaders through insults and erratic policies.
32. Withdrawing from WHO: Severed ties with the World Health Organization during a global pandemic.
33. North Korea Talks: Failed to achieve denuclearisation despite high-profile summits with Kim Jong-un.
34. Border Wall Focus: Diverted funds from the military to construct a wall that didn’t effectively address immigration issues.
35. Gutting Foreign Aid: Proposed significant cuts, straining relationships with developing countries.
36. Diplomatic Leaks: Criticised allies in leaked conversations with foreign leaders.
37. Weakening Arms Control: Pulled out of key arms treaties, increasing global instability.
38. Withdrawal from Trans-Pacific Partnership: Lost economic leverage in Asia-Pacific to China.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
39. Obstruction of Justice: Detailed in the Mueller Report regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election.
40. Hatch Act Violations: Allowed staff to engage in political activity while on duty.
41. Campaign Finance Violations: Directed payments to silence alleged affairs, leading to Michael Cohen’s conviction.
42. Misusing Federal Funds: Declared a national emergency to divert funds for his border wall.
43. Emoluments Clause Violations: Accepted payments from foreign governments through his businesses.
44. Pressuring Georgia Officials: Asked the Secretary of State to “find” votes to overturn the 2020 election.
45. Threats to Whistleblowers: Retaliated against witnesses during the impeachment process.
46. Use of Federal Property for Campaigning: Held the Republican National Convention at the White House, breaking norms.
Public Perception and Reputation
47. Lowest Average Approval Rating: Among modern presidents, per Gallup polling.
48. Global Confidence Collapse: Pew Research showed global trust in U.S. leadership plummeted under Trump.
49. Racially Divisive Rhetoric: Targeted minority members of Congress with inflammatory remarks.
50. Isolationism: “America First” policies alienated allies and diminished U.S. global influence.
