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What has trump done good
Executive summary
Donald Trump’s administrations and campaigns have advanced a mix of policies supporters point to as successes — tax cuts, deregulation, tougher trade and immigration stances, and Middle East diplomacy — while critics highlight rollbacks on climate rules, contentious trade moves, and low public approval (e.g., 40% approval in April 2025) [1] [2] [3] [4]. Official White House material lists many accomplishments including a human‑trafficking adviser post, normalization agreements with North African partners and other items; independent outlets and analysts catalog both the intended gains and the public pushback [5] [6] [7].
1. Tax cuts and business‑friendly policies — yanked growth levers for some
Trump’s signature Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and proposals to extend or expand it are credited by advocates with boosting incentives for business investment and could be positive for markets, according to investment analysis and campaign projections; professional analyses (e.g., Penn Wharton, Invesco) say tax changes tend to favor higher‑income households and can increase deficits even while supporting growth in some scenarios [1] [8]. These policies are often framed by allies as pro‑growth; independent budget models warn of multitrillion‑dollar deficits from 2024‑era proposals [8].
2. Deregulation and “rule‑removal” — efficiency or risk, depending on view
A major throughline of Trump governance is aggressive deregulation: executive orders to freeze new rules, a pledge to rescind many Biden‑era regulations, and a stated “10 for 1” deregulatory ethos appear across policy trackers and legal briefings [9] [3] [10]. Supporters say this reduces costs and spurs energy and industry; critics — and analytic centers tracking regulatory changes — warn about environmental, labor and public‑health tradeoffs from rolling back longstanding safeguards [2] [11].
3. Foreign policy wins that even critics note — Middle East agreements
Reuters and White House materials point to diplomatic achievements that cut across partisan lines: Trump’s team helped broker normalization deals in the Middle East (notably with UAE, Bahrain, Sudan in the earlier term) and structured recognition moves like Morocco/Western Sahara, which the White House lists among diplomacy items [6] [5]. Even critical accounts acknowledge these diplomatic breakthroughs as concrete accomplishments [6].
4. Immigration, border and enforcement actions — popular with base, divisive broadly
Trump’s agenda emphasizes tougher border control: ending catch‑and‑release, reinstating “Remain in Mexico,” building barriers, and tightening asylum rules — touted as restoring order by his administration materials [3]. These policies are politically salient with conservative voters but are widely contested and contribute to sharply divided public assessments [3] [12].
5. Public opinion and political costs — middling to negative early ratings
Polling and reporting show notable public pushback: a plurality gave Trump an “F” at 100 days in one PBS‑sourced poll, and Pew found approval near 40% with many Americans saying his policies weaken U.S. standing internationally [12] [4]. That split highlights that measurable policy actions do not uniformly translate into broad public approval [12] [4].
6. Public‑health and global health policy shifts — a change in direction
Analysts tracking global health note Trump’s executive orders and policy reversals on COVID‑era mandates and broader global‑health posture, signaling a different U.S. approach to international health cooperation and climate‑linked health diplomacy [9] [13]. Supporters argue these moves restore individual liberty and reduce government overreach; observers worry they reduce U.S. leadership on issues like climate‑related health adaptation [9] [13].
7. What supporters highlight vs. what critics emphasize — a contrast that matters
White House materials enumerate items framed as accomplishments — anti‑trafficking posts, trade actions, diplomatic recognitions — while independent news and policy outlets catalog consequential rollbacks (environmental rules, regulatory changes) and mixed economic and approval outcomes. Supporters present these as restoring growth and sovereignty; critics emphasize environmental, fiscal and reputational costs [5] [14] [2].
Limitations and caveats: available sources here include White House lists, policy trackers, polling and mainstream press summaries; they document both claimed accomplishments and critical assessments but do not provide a definitive cost‑benefit ledger or long‑term outcome assessment — those require more data over time and research beyond the supplied items [5] [2] [8].