One hundred days. That’s the symbolic yardstick by which the early success of any presidency is often measured. In Donald Trump’s case — who returned to the White House with promises to restore the economy and “make America great again” — these first hundred days have been anything but superb.
A new CNN poll reveals a harsh truth: only 41% of Americans approve of his performance, the lowest rating for any newly elected president at the 100-day mark since 1952. But the most revealing number is this: just 22% strongly approve of his leadership. Even his once fervent base is showing signs of fatigue. The country remains sharply divided — with 86% of Republicans approving of him and 93% of Democrats disapproving — but the real blow comes from independents: only 31% offer support. And in American politics, losing the center is often the prelude to collapse.
Beyond popularity, the real scandal is the economy. Since January 20, trillions of dollars (Yes, you read that correctly) have vanished from the stock market, retirement accounts have plummeted, and grocery bills have soared. Average Americans are now paying for Trump’s decisions most painfully: tariffs on key imports have artificially inflated the cost of living, eroding purchasing power for millions, so much for the return of prosperity.
Even more alarming are the mass deportations — many of them unjustified or downright mistaken. Under Trump’s renewed immigration policies, American citizens have been wrongfully deported, legal families have been torn apart by flawed enforcement, and fear has become state policy. It is not border security. It’s an administrative disaster cloaked in nationalism.
And perhaps most disturbing is this: systemic racism under the Trumpian era is no longer hiding in the shadows. It speaks from podiums, writes legislation, and marches openly. We now see hate crimes, white supremacist rallies, and officials using xenophobic language without consequence. These are not isolated incidents — they echo a Germany we swore never to become.
Trump promised strength but has delivered chaos. He vowed leadership but governs through tweets and vengeance. Meanwhile, everyday Americans pay higher costs and experience social erosion, deeper division, and a growing sense of instability.
History will judge these first 100 days by numbers and scars. What is clear is that slogans and nostalgia cannot lead a nation. It requires vision, justice, and truth. And none of those have shown up in the Oval Office.
José E. Urioste
For Times Media Mexico / The Yucatan Times
Abril 29, 2025
—
José E. Urioste is a Yucatecan entrepreneur and columnist. He is a published author and a major shareholder in one of Mexico’s longest-standing financial institutions, as well as in various ventures across mass media, real estate, and other strategic sectors. As a political analyst and writer on philosophical and humanistic subjects, his work challenges conventional thinking with clarity and depth. His contributions to national media offer a distinctive voice on the social, business, and cultural issues shaping the public conversation.
The post Trump and the Misery of the First 100 Days. – Op-Ed. first appeared on The Yucatan Times.