In just 100 days back in office, President Donald Trump has changed the face of American politics. His return to the White House has been marked by fast action, big decisions, and deep divides across the country.
During his campaign, Trump promised massive change. Few people, however, expected the pace to be this fast. Since his inauguration, Trump has used his power like no other modern president. He has signed orders, posted bold statements online, and launched major reforms across nearly every part of American life.
While his supporters see a leader who delivers, critics believe he is harming the country’s core values. Some say he is weakening institutions and stretching the limits of presidential power. Here’s a look at six key events that shaped Trump’s dramatic return.
A Nine-Word Post That Shook the Courts
Vice President JD Vance set off a firestorm when he posted on social media, “Judges aren’t allowed to control the executive’s legitimate power.”
Legal experts quickly pushed back. They said his words challenged the long-standing idea that courts can block illegal actions by the president. For over 200 years, this balance of power has helped protect democracy.
Despite the backlash, Trump’s team moved forward. They began shifting funds, shutting down agencies, and bypassing Congress. Judges halted some actions, but many Republicans in Congress stayed silent.
One case involved 200 Venezuelans sent to El Salvador without full legal review. A judge, appointed by Republicans, called the move shocking. Trump says he respects the courts—but his slow or partial compliance tells a different story.
Elon Musk’s Chainsaw Reforms
At a conservative event, Elon Musk stood on stage dressed in black, holding a golden chainsaw given to him by Argentina’s President Javier Milei. The crowd erupted when Musk shouted, “CHAINSAW!”
The chainsaw became a symbol of Musk’s role in Trump’s government. His job? Cut government waste. But instead of careful trimming, Musk’s team slashed entire programs. The U.S. Agency for International Development nearly vanished. The Department of Education saw deep cuts.
Many voters want smaller government. But some of Musk’s cuts sparked outrage. Veterans, seniors, and families worried about Social Security and healthcare voiced concern at town halls.
Though Musk claims these cuts will save trillions, they could hurt more than they help.
Tariffs That Shook the Economy
Trump stood in the Rose Garden and revealed massive new tariffs. Trader Richard McDonald watched in shock as markets tumbled. The S&P 500 fell fast. Mortgage rates soared. Jobs were lost. Consumer spending dipped.
Trump called it “Liberation Day,” saying it would help U.S. workers and challenge China. But economists, and even the Federal Reserve, warned of a coming recession.
Even so, many Trump supporters in struggling towns believe tariffs are the right move. They see them as a way to protect American jobs.
Deportations Hit Families Hard
A Venezuelan mother, Myrelis Casique Lopez, saw a photo of her son in a mega-prison in El Salvador. He had been deported from the U.S. without a trial.
Trump’s team says deportees are often gang members. But Casique insists her son is innocent.
Illegal border crossings have dropped to record lows. Still, civil rights groups warn that legal residents and even students are being deported.
Some pro-Palestinian protesters with legal visas were detained. Immigration raids now target not just homes but schools and workplaces.
Universities and Media Push Back
Harvard’s President Alan Garber sued the Trump administration after it tried to cut research funds. The White House said Harvard failed to stop antisemitic protests. Garber called the cuts an attack on academic freedom.
Columbia University, however, changed its campus rules after Trump’s warnings.
The pressure reached law firms and news networks. Some firms supported Trump. Others filed suits against him.
ABC News gave millions to Trump’s foundation to settle legal disputes. CBS is still working on its own deal.
One news agency refused to use Trump’s new name for the Gulf of Mexico. In response, it lost White House access.
End of Diversity Programs
After a plane crash near the Potomac River, Trump blamed the FAA’s diversity hiring. No proof was given.
Soon after, Trump banned all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in federal offices. Companies like Meta and Goldman Sachs followed.
DEI grew after the 2020 George Floyd protests. It aimed to help women and people of color. Critics say it focused too much on race.
Trump’s order led to odd changes. Arlington National Cemetery removed mentions of women and Black service members. The Pentagon almost erased a famous bomber’s name due to confusion.
Trump’s second term is just getting started. The first 100 days were dramatic. But the future will test how lasting his changes really are.
If Republicans pass laws, Trump’s changes may last. If Democrats win Congress, they could undo much of it. Courts may also strike down parts of his agenda.
The next 1,361 days will show if Trump’s bold return is a new path—or just a wild detour in American politics.