AM3RIKKKA: LAND OF THE "FREE"?

HOW DUD WE GET HERE?

ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW: To create a series of political illustrations critiquing (R) Donald Trump's presidency during his first term back in January of 2017. For those of you who have been following me on my professional creative journey, I would like to note that I am aware that people have the right to think whatever they want. They also have the ability to say and express whatever is on their mind. We live in a country that allows for democracy, open criticism of the government, freedom of speech and freedom of religion. That's what's so great about being an American.

However, on a personal level, I feel that it is important to also be able to express my own personal beliefs and opinions on matters I feel most passionate about while also trying not to overly offend people. Since learning that Donald Trump would be the next president for his second term on Tuesday, 05 November 2024, I was simultaneously disappointed and not surprised that over 75% of the American population voted for him , a convicted felon and serial sexual assaulter, over (D) Kamala Harris. It still just baffles me why people felt that voting for such an awful and hideous person was "better" for the American economy than it was to vote for someone with a well-documented and decorated career in politics. But I guess these people who voted for Trump are those who are in the 1%, the extremely wealthy and the rich. For me, I feel as though Harris was someone who exhibited good quality selfless traits that I wanted to represent me, my people and my country. She cares about people of colour (POC), the LGBTQ+ community, the working class, etc. whereas Trump exhibits the exact opposite of these traits and is widely criticised, gets openly laughed at for saying out-of-pocket stuff, and repeatedly doesn't get taken seriously when it comes to politics or humanitarian issues.

Anyway, enough of my stream-of-consciousness, I wanted to share this project as a basic overview and critique of Trump's political career and how his impact as POTUS has effected the U.S.

PROJECT SUMMARY: Donald Trump's first presidency from 2017 to 2021 was a time of significant political and social polarisation, and his impact on American society has and still is being widely debated amongst Americans themselves and government officials from all over the globe. Whilst his supporters argue that he implemented policies that benefitted certain sectors of American society (mainly the ultra-rich and wealthy), critics content that his administration's actions were divisive and harmful to the general public, those who are not extremely wealthy or rich. The assessment of whether he "helped" American society depends on the person's perspective and their political affiliation, which aspects of society as being considered.

ECONOMIC GROWTH & EMPLOYMENT

TAX CUTS One of Trump's signature achievements was the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017, which lowered the corporate tax rate and provided tax cuts for individuals. Proponents argue that this spurred economic growth, increased business investment, and led to record-low unemployment levels prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

UNEMPLOYMENT Before the pandemic hit in early 2020, the US experienced historically low unemployment rates, especially amongst Africa-Americans, Hispanics, and women. Supporters argue that Trump's economic policies plasyed a role in these gains.

DEREGULATION Trump focused on rolling back regulations, particularly in industries like energy and finance, with the belief that this would stimulate business growth and innovation. Some saw this as a positive for business, particularly in sectors like fossil fuels.

FOREIGN POLICY & NATIONAL SECURITY

"AMERICA FIRST" DOCTRINE Trump's "America First" foreign policy prioritised US interests and more isolationist stance. He renegotiated trade deals, including replacing NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) with the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), which some saw as an improvement for American workers, particularly in manufacturing.

CHINA & TRADE WARS Trump imposed tariffs on Chinese goods, aiming to reduce US trade deficit with China and pressure it on issues like intellectual property theft. Critics argue that the tariffs hurt American consumers and businesses, while supporters say they were necessary for confronting China's trade practices.

MIDDLE EAST Trump facilitated the Abraham Accords, a series of normalisation agreements between Israel and several Arab nations, which was viewed by many as a significant diplomatic achievement. His decision to withdraw from the Iranian (IRGC) nuclear deal and the relocation of the US Embassy to Jerusalem were also important moves for his supporters.

MIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY

Trump's hardline stance on immigration, including building a border wall and implementing stricter enforcement measures, was one of his most polarising policies. His supporters saw this as necessary to protect American jobs and national security, while critics argued that it was harmful to immigrant communities and reflected a xenophobic stance.

His administration also sought to limit legal immigration, including attempts to end DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), a programme that protected undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children.

HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL PROGRAMMES

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT REPEAL EFFORTS Trump made several attempts to repeal the ACA (ObamaCare), arguing that it was an inefficient system that raised costs for Americans. While he did not succeed in fully repealing the ACA, his administration made several changes to it, such as removing the individual mandate penalty.

OPIOID CRISIS Trump's administration declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency and allocated resources to combat the epidemic, though critics argue that his efforts were not comprehensive enough

SOCIAL & CULTURAL IMPACT ON AMERICAN SOCIETY

POLARISATION & DIVISION Trumps rhetoric and actions often deepened political and social divisions in the US. His style of leadership, including frequent use of social media (particularly Twitter, now X), was controversial and frequently criticised for promoting a divisive, combative political culture. His handling of issues such as racial injustice, immigration, and the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant protests, including the Black Lives Matter movement and nationwide debates over his approach to law enforcement and civil rights.

RACIAL TENSIONS Trump's response to events like the Charlottesville rally (in 2017) and protests following the murder of George Floyd (in 2020) was widely criticised. Critics felt his comments on race and racism exacerbated tensions, while his supporters believed he was defending free speech and law and order.

SUPREME COURT APPOINTEES Trump appointed three (03) justices to the US Supreme Court -- Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett -- shifting the court's ideological balance to the right. This has had a long-term impact on American society, especially in terms of rulings on issues like abortion, gun rights, and religious freedom.

COVID-19 RESPONSE Trumps' handling of the COVID-19 pandemic remains one of the most contentious aspects of his presidency. While his administration did oversee the development and distribution of vaccines under "Operation Warp Speed", critics argue that his downplaying of the virus in the early months and inconsistent messaging led to unnecessary confusion and loss of life. His refusal to fully embrace mask mandates and social distancing guidelines, along with promoting unproven treatments, was viewed as irresponsible by manyn public health experts.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES Trump rolled back numerous environmental protections, including withdrawing the US from the Paris Climate Agreement (PCA) and easing restrictions on fossil fuel industries. Supporters argue that these moves were necessary for economic growth and energy independence, while critics contended that they underminded efforts to address climate change and protected the interests of polluting industries.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM Trump signed the First Step Act into law, a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill aimed at reducing sentences for certain non-violent offenders and addressing systemic issues like the criminal justice system. This was seen as a significant positive step by criminal justice reform advocates.

Whether Donald Trump "helped" American society depends largely on one's perspective and values. To his supporters, his economic policies, focus on law and order, adn conservative judicial appointments were seen as positive contributions. On the other hand, his critics argue that his divisive rhetoric, mishandling of the pandemic, and rollbacks of environmental and social protections caused long-term harm to the country's social fabric, democracy and global standing. Trump's presidency is complex and multifaceted, and the lasting impact on American society will continue to be debated for years to come [. . .]