Donald Trump’s alternate reality is collapsing
Donald Trump lives in an alternate reality. In his mind, 1.78% is a “mandate,” and he claimed in his speech to Congress that the first month of his presidency was “the most successful in the history of our nation.” Poor thing. He went on to say: “So Democrats sitting before me: For just this one night, why not join us in celebrating so many incredible wins for America?” What wins? Firing people who simply did their jobs by investigating him? Perhaps it’s taking food out of the mouths of children he wants to force you to birth. There are so many reasons, but none of them are good. The Washington Post wrote: “the picture Trump was painting is a mirage to many Americans.” WaPo also uses the words “alternate reality,” because that’s exactly what it is. WaPo thinks it’s not only Democrats who refuse to acknowledge Trump’s “truth,” but the political middle and his own supporters aren’t buying it either.
CNN released a new poll Wednesday, and his approval rating on the economy is worse than ever. Those of us who did not support him knew this would happen. We knew Kamala Harris would keep the economy churning. It made sense because she was part of the administration that brought it back to life. Now-not once, but twice-Donald Trump will squander a strong economy left to him by former Presidents Obama and Biden. We knew this would happen, but we were outnumbered by those who thought the economy wasn’t so great and that Donald Trump would “fix” it. He’s fixing it alright.
His tariffs will make life much more difficult for most people as prices rise to match counter-tariffs imposed by others. Canada is attacking an area we can’t live without – electricity – and China is crippling farmers by not purchasing their products. Yay tariffs. To make matters worse, he brought along a dimwit named Elon Musk who is slashing his way through federal personnel and agencies. Unemployment numbers have already begun to rise, and the Republican Congress is complicit, choosing to cut into something that is a lifeline for so many, Medicaid. People on Medicaid have very little. That’s why they’re getting help with their healthcare, food for their children, and rent assistance. Does that matter to Trump or Musk-the so-called richest man in the world? Too bad there is no richness in his heart and soul. We are merely numbers to him, numbers that need to be brought down at all costs, human costs. We have certainly never mattered to Trump, so he’s okay with what Musk is doing.
Trump’s approval rating on the economy is 44% approve/ 56% who don’t approve. 64% of Americans believe the cost of living is going in the wrong direction (because it is). Further, Ipsos/Reuters shows 54% disapprove while 31% approve of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, and 70% disagree with his Ukraine rhetoric. Trump can deny it all he wants, but those of us who live in actual reality know we are careening toward a recession. When that happens, it will be interesting to see what picture Trump will paint for us.
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years