The second term of U.S. President Donald Trump is increasingly becoming synonymous not with political stability, but with growing instability. Known as one of the most unpredictable and impulsive presidents in history, Trump now appears to be driven by personal whims, anger, and ego. His conduct is creating anxiety not only within the United States but across the entire global order.
In the first few months of his second term, Trump appeared relatively disciplined. Through pre-planned executive orders, he sought to redefine Washington’s power structure, federal institutions, and U.S. foreign policy. Moves such as cutting funds to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), large-scale reductions in the federal workforce, and interference in Ivy League university curricula were controversial, but they seemed to follow a certain ideological “playbook.”
That discipline, however, now appears to have faded. Analysts conclude that Trump has become more impulsive, more aggressive, and increasingly focused on personal vendettas. In Washington, he is seen as confrontational and intolerant, while at his Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago, he appears comparatively calm. This dual character is contributing to instability within the American system of governance.
Last week, Trump reposted a cartoon video from his account on his social media platform, Truth Social, depicting former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle as monkeys. The image was widely regarded as one of the most racist messages ever associated with the White House in modern U.S. history. The post was removed following public outrage, but Trump flatly refused to apologize.
Several leaders, including Republican Senator Tim Scott—the party’s only Black senator—condemned the post. Ultimately, the White House attempted to defuse the issue by blaming a staff member, but Trump’s silence and arrogance further damaged his political image. From the Democratic Party, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the post “disgusting” and publicly challenged Trump to apologize. Trump, however, repeated his claim that he had done nothing wrong. His stance conveyed the message that he considers himself beyond criticism.
Hardline Immigration Crackdown
Trump’s tough immigration policies have sparked fresh controversy. Public anger has grown after federal agents shot two U.S. citizens in Minnesota. Following the incident, Trump suddenly announced a softer approach. Analysts say this shift reflects not humanitarian concern but poor public relations management. Earlier, Trump himself had pressured law enforcement agencies to adopt excessively militarized tactics. Now, facing political fallout, he appears to be changing his rhetoric.
Meanwhile, the administration has withdrawn 700 ICE agents from Minnesota. Trump has portrayed this as a success, saying, “We did a good job there.” Critics, however, call it an attempt to cover up a failed policy.
Trump also appears unusually obsessed with his name and image. Last week, reports emerged that he wanted Washington Dulles International Airport and New York’s Penn Station to be renamed after him. Around the same time, he criticized Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance, calling it an “insult to America’s greatness.” He described the dance as “disgusting” for younger generations, reflecting cultural intolerance. When Olympic skier Hunter Hess stated that wearing the national flag does not mean representing all government policies, Trump publicly attacked him and demanded that he be removed from the team.
Economy: The Gap Between Facts and Propaganda
In a Super Bowl interview with NBC, Trump claimed that he had reduced inflation. Reality, however, tells a different story. While the U.S. stock market has risen, there has been little improvement in the living standards of ordinary citizens. Even as the Dow Jones Industrial Average has crossed 50,000, working-class and middle-class Americans have not felt relief. According to a CNN survey, only 36 percent of Americans believe Trump’s priorities are correct—the lowest approval rating of his term so far. At the beginning of his second term, his approval stood at 45 percent.
A Test of American Democracy
In the days ahead, a budget dispute involving the Department of Homeland Security could even lead to a government shutdown. Democrats want stricter oversight of ICE, while Republicans continue to back Trump. This conflict will reveal whether Congress can effectively check Trump’s power. Whether voters give him a “free hand” or impose limits in the midterm elections will be the real test of American democracy.
Trump’s second term is being driven more by personality than by policy. His decisions appear reactive rather than strategic. Racist posts, anti-democratic rhetoric, and cultural attacks are not only polarizing the United States but also destabilizing the world.
The question remains: will America control Trump, or will Trump control America? And the bigger question is this—if Trump fails to control his impulses, will America and the world have to pay the price? In this age of uncertainty, even Trump himself may not know what his next move will be. That, above all, is the most frightening reality.
