The Fulfilled and Unfulfilled Promises of Trump's Presidency

During his campaign, Donald Trump made numerous promises to America, from cutting taxes to building a wall along the Mexican border. This article delves into which promises were actually fulfilled during his presidency and which went unfulfilled.

Summary of Fulfilled Promises

Taxes

One of the major promises made by Trump was tax reform. He famously promised to cut taxes, particularly for the middle class. However, the reality is that the tax reform that was enacted favored the wealthy elite rather than the middle class. While major tax cuts were implemented, they were largely concentrated among the highest earners and large corporations, leading to criticism.

Wall and Border Security

Trump’s campaign centered around the idea of building a wall along the Mexican border to secure the United States. While this was a key component of his rhetoric, the wall was never fully constructed, and Mexico paid nothing for its construction. The wall that was built, though modest in scale, did not live up to the grand promises made during the campaign.

Unfulfilled Promises

Drain the Swamp

Trump pledged to "drain the swamp" in Washington, aiming to reduce political corruption and promote honesty in government. Instead, his administration saw a proliferation of conflicts of interest and scandals, earning him the nickname "the Swamp."

Example: Throughout his presidency, Trump prioritized his business interests, resulting in numerous conflicts of interest and a tarnished reputation for ethical governance.

National Defense and Public Health

In terms of national defense and public health, Trump’s campaign platform included building up the military and addressing the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, his approach was criticized for being reactive rather than proactive. The national debt continued to grow, and the pandemic response was plagued with missteps and controversies.

Example: Trump’s reluctance to wear a mask and his downplaying of the pandemic led to increased criticism and skepticism about his leadership during the public health crisis.

Government Overthrow

At the end of his term, Trump attempted to overturn the election results, leading to rioting at the Capitol. This attempted overthrow of the government was one of the most significant unfulfilled promises, as it had far-reaching implications for democracy and stability in the country.

Example: The January 6 insurrection led to a significant backlash against Trump and his administration, with many political career endings and a lasting impact on American politics.

Comparative Analysis: Other Presidents

Fulfillment of Promises by Previous Leaders

Hitler and Tax Cuts

Comparisons to other leaders who made promises and the extent to which they were fulfilled reveal that, much like Trump, Hitler did not fulfill his promises effectively. Hitler made vague promises about tax cuts that primarily benefited the wealthy, and his other claims, such as a large military spend to build a wall, were not substantiated.

Obama’s Legacy

Returning to the comparison with Trump, Obama also had a mixed record on fulfilling campaign promises. While some promises, such as tax reform, were not fully achieved, Obama did execute on many of his key commitments, including health care reform, financial regulation, and international agreements.

Conclusion

While Donald Trump made numerous grandiose promises during his campaign, the extent to which they were fulfilled was limited and controversial. His presidency is often criticized for failing to keep many of its most notable promises, leading to a legacy marked more by disappointments than successes.

Understanding the full scope of these promises and their fulfillment is crucial for evaluating the impact of one of the most polarizing presidents in American history.