Can The Donald go the distance?

After a year of toxic tweets, division & drama...

IT was a year ago tomorrow that the world looked on in disbelief as Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States.

Since then, he has acted like no US leader before him.

Here, commentators from across the political divide, from Britain and America, reflect on Trump’s turbulent first year in office and predict what lies ahead for him... Uniquely in US politics, at the end of his first year, a President is making good on his promises. Tax and immigration reform and deregulation are major achievements and the economy is now booming. Away from home, his unique form of diplomacy seems to be having an effect too, with relations between North and South Korea the best in years.

Trump in 2018 will continue to be much of the same. Most importantly, he has to build the southern border wall, one of his big promises.

One thing is for certain. The liberal media look set to be disappointed for another 12 months as Trump is going nowhere. He will remain in the presidency as long as he wants. Americans are taking stock of this wrecking ball presidency and the most common word I hear is it’s “unsustainable”.

The country is emotionally exhausted by the drama and the toxic atmosphere. Can it cope with 1,000 more days? Ejecting the President is a long shot but not impossible. The chance of impeachment is very small. Another route is more outlandish – the 25th amendment allows a “constitutional coup”. Vice President Mike Pence and the Cabinet can declare Trump “unfit” and Congress must then confirm it. But the President’s doctor declared on Tuesday he is in “excellent” shape.

So, in all likelihood, Trump survives until 2020. In his first year, Trump has tested the office of President and the Constitution to destruction. He has gutted the social security network to finance his tax cuts for the wealthy. This will increase inequality.

Trump is everything lousy about America: the immigrant-hater whose own grandfather was an immigrant. A man good ole God-fearin’ folks voted for who had to settle a lawsuit before he took the

Oath; a fanatic about the military who got himself deferred from conflict five times; a racist.

Trump is no aberration. He is the product of a relentlessly romantic nation that has always woven lies about itself. Like all nations do.

COUP HOPE Mike Pence ROCKY ROAD Donald Trump has had an eventful 12 months

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