Trump returns to his happy place on stage as poll numbers sink
The president criticized his detractors and marked the milestone of the first 100 days of his second term in office.
TroibNews 
President Donald Trump on Tuesday declared the first 100 days of his term an unqualified success, celebrating the significant changes he has implemented across American life even as indications emerge that voters may be losing faith in his agenda.
During his first trip to Michigan since winning the state last November, Trump praised his aggressive tariff policies as “policies of common sense and genius,” showcased his strict immigration enforcement at the southern border, and promised to escalate mass deportations—despite facing increasing legal challenges.
In a striking moment, Trump paused his speech to present a dramatic video illustrating the deportation of migrants to a notorious prison in El Salvador, further intensifying the conflict between the White House and the judicial system. He criticized judges he claimed were “trying to take away the power given to the president,” labeled Democrats as “crazy” and “stupid,” and took aim at Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, acknowledging he wasn't meant to make such comments.
Yet throughout his 90-minute address, Trump frequently conveyed that this was just the beginning of his efforts.
“This is the best, they say, start of any president in history,” Trump stated. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
The speech in Macomb County marked a return to Trump's rally style, which had been a hallmark of his campaigns and initial time in office. He had largely remained in the Oval Office, signing executive orders, except for visits to his properties in Florida and New Jersey, with his first international trip occurring the previous week for Pope Francis's funeral.
Trump’s multitude of executive actions has instigated changes throughout the government, the economy, and society in a very short period.
“In 100 days, we have delivered the most profound change in Washington in nearly 100 years,” Trump remarked, listing numerous executive orders. “One hundred days, we’ve done all the things that I’ve named, and a lot more.”
While this deluge of policies has excited loyal supporters who filled the Macomb County rally, it has also unsettled a growing number of citizens outside the arena.
His approval ratings have plummeted since his inauguration, fueled by rising economic concerns and apprehensions regarding a deportation campaign that has been described as targeting criminals but has also affected individuals who have committed no serious offenses, including college students and U.S. citizens.
The White House has encountered significant backlash over its tariff measures, as businesses and voters in states like Michigan anticipate increasing prices. Polls indicate that Trump’s approval ratings are now in the low 40s, with majorities of voters dissatisfied with his economic management.
At the rally, Trump attempted to mitigate concerns, asserting that his trade policies would ultimately benefit the U.S. and hinting that he might not seek to finalize renegotiated agreements with certain foreign nations that investors are hoping will restore stability to the stock market.
“We’ll make deals, but we don’t have to,” he asserted. “If it takes too long, I’ll just set a price. I’ll say, you can buy or you don’t have to buy.”
However, he acknowledged the growing discontent surrounding his primary economic initiative. Before his trip, Trump softened tariffs that were anticipated to impact domestic automakers vital to Michigan’s economy but clarified it was a temporary measure before “we slaughter” the auto part manufacturers who refuse to relocate their operations to the U.S.
On stage, Trump criticized the polling numbers, labeling them as unreliable.
“The fake polls,” he said regarding surveys indicating his approval rating around 42 percent. “If it were a legit poll, it would be in the 60s and 70s.”
He also devoted considerable time to disparaging the judiciary and legislators who have hindered parts of his agenda, claiming that courts limiting his aggressive deportation plans were working against him and appealing for the Supreme Court’s intervention.
“I hope for the sake of our country that the Supreme Court is going to save this,” he said, later affirming that “nothing will stop me in the mission to keep America safe again.”
Trump cautioned Republicans who have voiced doubts about key aspects of the sweeping tax measures his administration aims to pass by July 4, urging the audience to recognize the “grandstanders” and “vote them out of office.”
He reserved much of his criticism for former President Joe Biden and revisited the upcoming 2024 race.
“The debate was not a good one for him,” he said regarding the June debate that led Biden to step aside from the race. “He was down 35 points and they decided to replace him.”
This represented a rare decisive victory for Trump since he returned to the White House. Surrounded by thousands of enthusiastic supporters for the first time in months, he appeared eager to reminisce.
“I miss you guys,” Trump said. “I miss the campaign.”
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
During his first trip to Michigan since winning the state last November, Trump praised his aggressive tariff policies as “policies of common sense and genius,” showcased his strict immigration enforcement at the southern border, and promised to escalate mass deportations—despite facing increasing legal challenges.
In a striking moment, Trump paused his speech to present a dramatic video illustrating the deportation of migrants to a notorious prison in El Salvador, further intensifying the conflict between the White House and the judicial system. He criticized judges he claimed were “trying to take away the power given to the president,” labeled Democrats as “crazy” and “stupid,” and took aim at Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, acknowledging he wasn't meant to make such comments.
Yet throughout his 90-minute address, Trump frequently conveyed that this was just the beginning of his efforts.
“This is the best, they say, start of any president in history,” Trump stated. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
The speech in Macomb County marked a return to Trump's rally style, which had been a hallmark of his campaigns and initial time in office. He had largely remained in the Oval Office, signing executive orders, except for visits to his properties in Florida and New Jersey, with his first international trip occurring the previous week for Pope Francis's funeral.
Trump’s multitude of executive actions has instigated changes throughout the government, the economy, and society in a very short period.
“In 100 days, we have delivered the most profound change in Washington in nearly 100 years,” Trump remarked, listing numerous executive orders. “One hundred days, we’ve done all the things that I’ve named, and a lot more.”
While this deluge of policies has excited loyal supporters who filled the Macomb County rally, it has also unsettled a growing number of citizens outside the arena.
His approval ratings have plummeted since his inauguration, fueled by rising economic concerns and apprehensions regarding a deportation campaign that has been described as targeting criminals but has also affected individuals who have committed no serious offenses, including college students and U.S. citizens.
The White House has encountered significant backlash over its tariff measures, as businesses and voters in states like Michigan anticipate increasing prices. Polls indicate that Trump’s approval ratings are now in the low 40s, with majorities of voters dissatisfied with his economic management.
At the rally, Trump attempted to mitigate concerns, asserting that his trade policies would ultimately benefit the U.S. and hinting that he might not seek to finalize renegotiated agreements with certain foreign nations that investors are hoping will restore stability to the stock market.
“We’ll make deals, but we don’t have to,” he asserted. “If it takes too long, I’ll just set a price. I’ll say, you can buy or you don’t have to buy.”
However, he acknowledged the growing discontent surrounding his primary economic initiative. Before his trip, Trump softened tariffs that were anticipated to impact domestic automakers vital to Michigan’s economy but clarified it was a temporary measure before “we slaughter” the auto part manufacturers who refuse to relocate their operations to the U.S.
On stage, Trump criticized the polling numbers, labeling them as unreliable.
“The fake polls,” he said regarding surveys indicating his approval rating around 42 percent. “If it were a legit poll, it would be in the 60s and 70s.”
He also devoted considerable time to disparaging the judiciary and legislators who have hindered parts of his agenda, claiming that courts limiting his aggressive deportation plans were working against him and appealing for the Supreme Court’s intervention.
“I hope for the sake of our country that the Supreme Court is going to save this,” he said, later affirming that “nothing will stop me in the mission to keep America safe again.”
Trump cautioned Republicans who have voiced doubts about key aspects of the sweeping tax measures his administration aims to pass by July 4, urging the audience to recognize the “grandstanders” and “vote them out of office.”
He reserved much of his criticism for former President Joe Biden and revisited the upcoming 2024 race.
“The debate was not a good one for him,” he said regarding the June debate that led Biden to step aside from the race. “He was down 35 points and they decided to replace him.”
This represented a rare decisive victory for Trump since he returned to the White House. Surrounded by thousands of enthusiastic supporters for the first time in months, he appeared eager to reminisce.
“I miss you guys,” Trump said. “I miss the campaign.”
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
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