Saturday, March 29, 2025
Former U.S. President Donald Trump reshaped the American presidency with a style that resembled a corporate CEO running a private company more than a democratically elected leader. His governance model, driven by personal loyalty, quick decisions, and disregard for institutional checks, led to unprecedented constitutional strain and growing global unease about America’s leadership and democratic image.
Trump often bypassed established processes, imposed swift decisions, removed dissenting voices, and showed limited concern for long-term consequences. This approach mirrored the workings of a family-owned corporation, not a representative democracy. As a result, democratic norms and traditional institutional balances came under pressure, alarming political observers both in the U.S. and abroad.
Trump used trade tariffs as weapons, turning economic tools into leverage against major global powers. His transactional diplomacy prioritized U.S. business interests over global stability. However, this caused disruptions in global trade, stalled supply chains, and damaged the international image of the United States.
While his policies were intended to generate short-term economic gains, they contributed to America’s shrinking role as a stable global leader, raising questions about long-term strategy and diplomatic foresight.
Trump’s hallmark 2017 legislation—nicknamed the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—cemented tax cuts, slashed federal spending, and ramped up immigration enforcement. While corporations and high-income groups benefited significantly, millions of low-income Americans were left vulnerable, losing access to essential safety nets and insurance.
This deepened economic uncertainty, increased job insecurity, and fueled social division, particularly among middle and working-class Americans who felt left behind.
A new chapter in Trump’s political saga unfolded as Elon Musk openly criticized Trump’s policies, particularly his economic bills and use of government subsidies. In response, Trump allegedly threatened to expel Musk from the country, escalating the feud into a highly public personal and political conflict.
In a surprising move, Musk hinted at launching a new “America Party”, stirring speculation of a third political alternative. However, the entrenched two-party system in the U.S. remains a major barrier to any such transformation.
The U.S. Constitution, drafted in 1787, was built to prevent tyranny, protect civil liberties, and ensure balance between branches of power. For decades, America symbolized democracy and freedom, inspiring nations to move away from monarchies and authoritarian rule.
But under Trump’s leadership, many democratic norms were questioned, weakening America’s global influence. His style of governance placed personal power above institutional integrity, raising red flags about the future of democracy in the world’s oldest modern republic.
Trump’s corporate-style leadership, marked by tariff diplomacy, executive overreach, and political deal-making, pushed the United States towards a privatized governance model. While it aimed to serve national interests, it eroded democratic principles, disrupted global alliances, and widened domestic inequality. Once a global beacon of democracy, America now finds itself navigating a period of rising uncertainty and internal division.
