Defining Donald Trump

How do you define Donald Trump? After much consideration I’ve distilled it into two perspectives:

1. He’s erratic and has gone off the deep end
2. His political approach, though unorthodox and polarising, is strategically designed to rally his supporters and hold onto power.

Each perspective is subjective and hinges on one’s view of his leadership, policies, and actions. I’ll provide arguments for the two and conclude with my own take.

Erratic Behaviour

Since returning to office in January, Donald Trump has exhibited erratic behaviour that has both defined his leadership and deepened concerns about his stability. Characterised by impulsive decisions, controversial rhetoric, and a fast-paced approach to governance, his actions often leave supporters energised and critics alarmed. A clear example is his rapid issuance of 76 executive orders in just his first 43 days. These orders included drastic measures like imposing sweeping tariffs on allies such as Canada and Mexico, slashing federal spending, and firing thousands of federal workers – often with little regard for long-term consequences. This unpredictability has sparked significant economic fallout, with the S&P 500 losing over $3 trillion in value since its peak, and a Reuters/Ipsos poll in March revealing that 57% of Americans, including a third of Republicans, view these economic moves as “too erratic.”

The economic repercussions have further eroded public confidence in Trump’s leadership. A CNBC All-America Economic Survey from April 19 reported his economic approval rating at a career low, with 49% of Americans believing the economy will worsen – the most pessimistic outlook since 2023. Many blame his global tariffs, dubbed by some a “blunder of epic proportions,” for driving up costs, with 73% of Americans in the Reuters/Ipsos poll expecting higher prices for everyday goods. This economic recklessness has only amplified perceptions of Trump as a leader acting without restraint.

Beyond policy, Trump’s erraticism extends to his public statements and interactions, which often veer into extreme territory. He has proposed ideas such as annexing Canada, invading Greenland, and exiting NATO – suggestions that some MAGA supporters on X found amusing but others decried as reckless. His rhetoric has taken a darker turn, sending U.S. citizens to foreign prisons and shutting down adversarial media outlets, actions critics argue undermine democratic norms. Internationally, his behavior has raised eyebrows, particularly during a “combative” 2025 meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump treated the encounter as a spectacle, reportedly saying, “This is going to be great television,” and accused Zelenskyy of endangering peace by rejecting Russian control of Crimea – a stance aligning with a U.S. peace deal critics label a surrender to Russia. Posts on X following this event labeled Trump “unhinged and psychotic,” though such sentiments are not definitive proof of his mental state.

This pattern of impulsive, norm-breaking behaviour – coupled with economic instability and authoritarian rhetoric – has fueled a growing perception that Trump has gone off the deep end. As his actions continue to defy convention, they raise serious questions about his fitness for leadership amid global and domestic uncertainty, even as they sustain his appeal among loyal supporters.

Strategic, Polarising Political Approach

A subjective view

Trump’s second term continues to showcase an unorthodox and polarising political style that, despite its divisiveness, appears deliberately crafted to energise his base and maintain his grip on power. Trump’s approach relies heavily on provocative rhetoric and bold actions that resonate with his core supporters, even as they alienate others. For example, his imposition of sweeping global tariffs – impacting allies like Canada and Mexico – has been divisive. Yet, this move plays directly to his “America First” narrative, appealing to his base’s desire for economic nationalism, even as it contributes to market instability.

Trump’s rhetoric is another calculated tool. His suggestions of annexing Canada, invading Greenland, or exiting NATO, while extreme, are often met with enthusiasm by some MAGA because they project strength and defiance against the global establishment – key themes that have long rallied his base. Similarly, his attacks on adversarial media outlets and discussions of sending U.S. citizens to foreign prisons may alarm critics but reinforce his image as a fighter against perceived enemies, a narrative that galvanises his loyalists.

His rapid issuance of 76 executive orders in his first 43 days further illustrates this strategy. Actions such as firing thousands of federal workers and slashing spending are framed as dismantling the “deep state,” a move that directly appeals to his supporters’ distrust of government institutions, including the courts, which Trump continues to defy.

Trump’s combative stance in international dealings, such as his theatrical meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also served to keep him in the spotlight, a tactic he has long used to dominate media cycles and maintain relevance. While his methods deepen national divides and draw criticism for recklessness, they are not haphazard; they are a deliberate play to energise his base, project strength, and consolidate power by keeping his supporters mobilised and his opponents on the defensive.

My take

Trump’s unpredictable behavior, often perceived as irrational, may be a calculated tactic to disrupt conventions and project strength, yet it treads a fine line between provocation and instability. The fallout – waning public support, economic turbulence, and mounting legal challenges – points to a strategy that alienates more than it captivates. Recent polls show a dwindling base, with many deserting him, yet Trump’s unshakable self-confidence suggests he’s blind to this erosion, clinging to his own narrative – perhaps fueled by wishful thinking of a triumphant 2028 comeback.

Ultimately, his actions lean less toward strategic genius and more toward reckless overreach, driven by an ego that blinds him to the unraveling consequences.

I’m thus inclined to run with Option 1: He’s erratic and has gone off the deep end.

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