FIRST 100 DAYS: THE SCORECARD
THE WALL
It was the key promise of his campaign. If he won, he said, he’d build an “impenetrable, physical, tall, powerful, beautiful, southern border wall” between the US and Mexico. But with estimates now showing this 3 200-km construction project would cost about $25 billion (R325 billion), Trump seems to be backpedalling as opinion polls show 60 percent of Americans are opposed to the idea.
OBAMACARE
True to his word, just hours after being sworn in he signed an executive order to begin the process of dismantling the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). But the Republicans ran into problems when it came to light that the new American Health Care Act, which they planned to implement in its place, would see an estimated 24 million losing health cover over the next decade. In March, Trump suffered a humiliating defeat when he couldn’t even get enough votes from members of his own party to repeal Obamacare.
TAX CUTS
The Trump administration unveiled what it called “the biggest tax cuts in history”. The plan entails cutting the corporate tax rate for businesses big and small – including his Trump empire – by more than half and eliminating inheritance tax. Critics were quick to point out this plan is “basically a huge tax cut for the rich” and would cost the economy more than $2 trillion (R26 trillion). Meanwhile the billionaire still seems no closer to releasing his own tax returns for public scrutiny. He’s the first president in four decades to fail to do so.
NO TO ABORTION
In April, Trump signed a bill allowing states to stop funding clinics if their services include providing abortions. Rights activists were furious, saying it will make it harder for women to make informed choices. “We’re facing the worst political attack on women’s health in a generation,” said Dawn Laguens of the organisation Planned Parenthood. On the other hand, a poll found 61 percent of Americans oppose taxpayer funding of abortions. No matter what your views on the touchy issue, Trump carried through on his promise.
WITHDRAWAL FROM THE TRANS-PACIFIC DEAL
He followed through on his campaign pledge to leave the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a huge trade deal between the US and 11 Pacific Rim countries.
FOREIGN POLICY
On the campaign trail he said he intended taking the US down an isolationist path and that the slaughter unfolding in Syria “isn’t our problem”. So everyone was surprised by his recent decision to launch cruise missiles against Syria in the wake of the horrific chemical attack unleashed by the country’s dictator, Bashar al-Assad. Trump seemed to revel in the praise this unexpected strike drew. In a hard-hitting speech he criticised Obama for not taking action earlier. “It’s now my responsibility. It was a great opportunity missed.”