TRUMP SO FAR: FEBRUARY 2025

Our writer Patrissia L. delves into one of the most polarizing events in modern politics: Donald Trump’s re-election in 2024.

With his return to the White House, global debates have reignited over his controversial policies, leadership style, and the future of America. From Project 2025 and LGBTQ+ rights rollbacks to immigration crackdowns and mass pardons for January 6 rioters, Trump’s second term is already shaping up to be just as divisive as his first.

In this deep dive, Patrissia explores the impact of Trump's policies, the reactions from both supporters and critics, and what his leadership means for the future of U.S. democracy, economy, and global relations. Trump so far.

By Patrisiia Levytska

The battle of the latest US Presidential election has finally come to its conclusion: Donald Trump will serve his second term as president. For some people, this is good news; for others, it is really not. On the surface, Donald J Trump is clearly a controversial man, but diving deeper, the controversy only darkens.

Trump's re-election in 2024 has reignited global debates, with supporters and critics voicing strong opinions on his policies, leadership style, and impact on democracy. His stance on immigration, economic policies, and social issues has sparked widespread discussions, making him one of the most polarising figures in modern politics. Searches for terms like "Trump Project 2025 policies," "Trump immigration reforms," and "Trump AI strategy" have surged as the world analyzes how his presidency will shape the future. Whether viewed as a champion of conservative values or a threat to progressive reforms, Trump's influence on the U.S. and beyond remains undeniable.

Trump's story starts on June 14, 1946, when he was born into the family of Fred and Mary Trump in New York City. He was the fourth of five children. During his youth, he attended a private school, after which he attended the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, where he completed his higher education.

Fast-forward to the 2024 election, when the competition between Trump and Kamala Harris was close. The number of fact-checked false or half-true claims in the debates raised many concerns about Trump's fitness to be president if elected. Another issue with Trump's presidency would be that he had multiple criminal charges against him, which were to be dropped in case of his success.

As of 2023, Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts regarding a hush money payment during the 2016 election. He also faced issues regarding his interference in the 2020 election, but by late 2024, all these charges were dismissed due to his re-election as president.

Another massive controversy he has is Project 2025, a set of highly questionable policies that, in my opinion, can barely relate to modern society. Lots of these policies are targeting LGBTQIA+ individuals. For example, transgender individuals are being banned from participating in military service, DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) programmes in the military are also being banned. He also initiated the reversal of anti-discrimination policies, which were previously in place to reduce discrimination against queer individuals. President Trump then proceeded to state that, officially, there will only be two genders recognized – male and female. These actions initiated a massive shift in the US policies regarding LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Another group of people who will experience significant issues due to the new policies are immigrants, as 10,000 troops have been deployed to the US-Mexico border to ensure the stoppage of immigration. Additionally, multiple immigrants have been and are being deported from the US.

Trump has also had a say on some economic, technological, and environmental circumstances, reversing Biden's ecological policies, which raised concerns among experts about future environmental conditions. Plans for tax cuts and aggressive tariffs have also been announced alongside an executive order to enhance America's leadership in the AI industry.

Additionally, on January 20 2025, President Trump issued pardons to every individual involved in the January 6 2021 attack on the US capital.

Providing full unconditional pardons to over 1500 individuals charged or convicted over their involvement with the Capitol attack, including prominent people like Enrique Tarrio, former leader of the Proud Boys, and Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, released from prison in consequence of the pardon. The Attorney General issued pardon certificates and ensured the release of all imprisoned individuals eligible for the pardons.

This raised controversy, with some believing it was necessary for national unity and others believing it dismissed the crime's accountability and encouraged future acts of political violence.

As of now, time will tell if President Donald Trump will "Make America Great Again", as he continues to repeat. All whilst simultaneously surrounding himself with the richest people in America and seemingly alienating a massive proportion of the 'normals'.

Watch this space.

By Patrisiia Levytska