Trump’s Verbal Attack on Zelenskyy and Economic and Defense Policies
Trump’s Attack on Zelenskyy
Former US President Donald Trump has repeatedly made derogatory comments about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling him "a dictator with no elections" who "won’t have a country left" soon. Several European leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, have refuted Trump’s characterization.
In a recent speech at a conference in Florida, Trump renewed his verbal assault, claiming that Zelenskyy "has done a terrible job." He also asserted that Zelenskyy could have been involved in talks with Russia if he had wanted to. Trump later expressed his belief that Russia has the advantage in the ongoing negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump’s Economic Proposals
At the same conference, Trump announced sweeping tax cuts. He proposed reducing taxes for domestic producers of oil and gas and eliminating the tax on tips. Trump also promised a one-time payment to citizens from savings achieved by Elon Musk’s Office of Government Efficiency. He stated that he would use another portion of the anticipated savings to reduce the national debt.
Defense Department’s Budget Savings
The US Department of Defense has been instructed to identify potential savings of $50 billion in its budget for the upcoming year, which will be directed towards President Trump’s new priorities. The military has been ordered to compile a list of possible savings by fiscal year 2026. The Pentagon is expected to "focus back on its core mission: deterring and winning wars."
The department also announced an agreement with Mexico to conduct coordinated military patrols on both sides of their border.
Appeal Court Upholds Rejection of Trump’s Citizenship Law Change
A US Appeals Court in San Francisco has upheld a lower court ruling that rejected a change to citizenship law sought by Trump. Trump sought to end the provision that grants US citizenship to children born in the United States. The case is likely to be decided by the US Supreme Court.
Timeline of Trump’s Key Policies
- January 2017: Trump signs executive order banning travel from several Muslim-majority countries (later revised)
- April 2017: Trump launches airstrikes on a Syrian airbase in response to a chemical weapons attack
- June 2018: Trump withdraws the US from the Iran nuclear deal
- December 2018: Trump recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel
- May 2019: Trump imposes tariffs on Chinese goods, escalating a trade war between the two countries
- July 2019: Trump becomes the first US president to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un
- August 2019: Trump declares a national emergency at the US-Mexico border, citing a "crisis" of illegal immigration
- January 2020: Trump is impeached by the House of Representatives for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, but is acquitted by the Senate
- February 2020: Trump declares a national emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- June 2020: Trump withdraws the US from the World Health Organization
- January 2021: Trump’s supporters storm the US Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election
- January 2021: Trump becomes the first US president to be impeached twice, this time for incitement of insurrection
