Promises made, promises kept? Between illusion and reality, Trump forges ahead with his authoritarian project

"Promises made, promises kept. Donald Trump is not the first politician to use this simple slogan Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton did it before him but perhaps he is the one who has repeated it most insistently since his election victory last November, a triumph that on Wednesday marked its first anniversary amid the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, brought on by the standoff between Democrats and Republicans over funding the administration."

"It is one of his ways of selling the idea often stretching the truth that he is fulfilling the agenda that brought him back to power in January. With Trump, it is never easy to separate theater from reality. Yet even in the realm of performance, he has shown remarkable speed and ruthlessness in carrying out his program and effecting a profound transformation of both American society and the country's place in the world catching nearly everyone in Washington off guard."

"His haste stems from the fact that this time he arrived at the White House far more experienced than during his first term (20172021), surrounded by an extraordinarily loyal team that raises no objections to his assault on the institutions. His authoritarian path his my way or the highway style is best symbolized by his decision to demolish, without asking anyone's permission, the East Wing of the White House to build a ballroom."

Donald Trump has repeatedly used the slogan 'Promises made, promises kept' since his election victory, framing his actions as fulfillment of campaign promises. The administration's first anniversary coincided with the longest U.S. government shutdown, caused by funding disputes between Democrats and Republicans. Trump moved quickly and ruthlessly to implement policies, transforming American society and its global position and catching Washington off guard. He entered the White House more experienced and surrounded by a loyal team that does not object to institutional assaults. The Republican-controlled Congress has shown loyalty and little inclination to oppose policies, while a conservative Supreme Court has expanded presidential immunity and sided with Trump.

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