A divided nation

Trump’s first 100 days in office

THE UNITED States presidential election contest between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton was arguably the most divisive and grubbiest in living memory, and President Trump’s first three months in office have failed to heal the rifts of a divided nation.

Today marks his 100day milestone as the most powerful man on earth, though the billionaire businessman could perhaps be given forgiven for not wishing to dwell on what has been a turbulent start to his presidency which, thus far, has been characterised by tirades against the media, a failure to push through healthcare reform and worrying allegations over Russian connections.

When it comes to foreign policy the White House’s new incumbent thankfully appears to place a greater premium on the wisdom of his military advisers rather than his campaign rhetoric. Even so he remains wildly unpredictable, another ‘known unknown’ to paraphrase former US secretary of state Donald Rumsfeld.

He showed his mettle by ordering a lethal cruise missile strike against the Syrian air base suspected of being used to launch a devastating nerve gas attack, and has taken a stern approach to North Korea’s nuclear provocations. It remains to be seen whether this is a strength or weakness, though it is hardly conducive to longterm stability in the world.

In his inaugural speech, the 45th US president talked of a ‘new national pride’ that would ‘heal our divisions’. However, the country is no less polarised and President Trump remains a deeply divisive figure liked and loathed in equal measure. We must hope that he fares better during the remainder of his term in office.