Trump Marks His First 100 Days in Office in Campaign Mode, Focused on Grudges and Grievances

As Donald Trump marked his first 100 days in office, it was clear that he had little interest in following the usual traditions associated with the presidency. Trump remained firmly in campaign mode, continuing to focus on the grievances, grudges, and combative style that had defined his political rise rather than celebrating the milestone by highlighting legislative accomplishments or laying out a clear vision for the future. Rather than hosting a formal event at the White House, Trump chose to return to the rally stage, holding a campaign-style event in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania — a crucial state in his 2016 election victory. Before a crowd of thousands of loyal supporters, he rehashed many of the same themes that propelled him to the White House: attacking the news media, blasting political opponents, and portraying himself as a fighter for the “forgotten men and women” of America.

During his rally, Trump made it clear that he still sees himself as an outsider engaged in an ongoing battle with the political establishment rather than as a traditional president. Throughout his speech, he took repeated jabs at what he called the "fake news media," labeling journalists as “dishonest” and “out of touch.” He also continued to criticize judges who had blocked some of his executive orders, particularly his controversial travel ban, and he took shots at Democrats for resisting his agenda at every turn.

Despite the pageantry of the rally and the enthusiastic chants of "Drain the swamp!" and "Build the wall!" Trump's first 100 days were characterized more by conflict and frustration than by significant legislative victories. One of his signature promises — to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act — collapsed in Congress, even with Republicans controlling both chambers. Efforts to enact a travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries were repeatedly stalled by court challenges. Meanwhile, major initiatives on tax reform and infrastructure investment remained largely in the planning stages.

Still, Trump painted a different picture for his supporters, insisting that his administration had achieved historic success. He touted the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, the rollback of numerous regulations, and the approval of long-delayed energy projects like the Keystone XL pipeline as major accomplishments. In Trump's view, the obstacles he faced were less a result of his own leadership and more the fault of the media, political opponents, and an entrenched Washington bureaucracy unwilling to change.

The first 100 days of Trump's presidency were marked by a steady stream of high-profile actions and executive orders to fulfill his campaign promises. Yet critics argued that many of these actions were symbolic rather than substantive, often lacking clear follow-through. Others were concerned about Trump's chaotic White House, which was marred by leaks, rivalry, and a rapid staff turnover in his first few months in office. Perhaps most striking was Trump's unwillingness to pivot to a more unifying message after taking office. Once in office, the majority of presidents, even those elected in contentious races, attempt to broaden their appeal. Trump, however, chose to double down on division, maintaining a sharp focus on his base and rarely extending an olive branch to those who did not support him.

This approach pleased many of his most loyal followers, who saw Trump's combative style as proof that he was delivering on his promise to "shake up Washington." They saw Trump's ongoing conflicts with the media, judges, and political opponents as evidence that he was remaining true to his outsider image rather than a sign of weakness. However, it also meant that Trump entered the second phase of his presidency with historically low approval ratings and a deeply polarized electorate. While his supporters remained enthusiastic, large segments of the country viewed him with skepticism or outright opposition.

As Trump moved beyond the symbolic 100-day mark, it was clear that he would continue to govern as he had campaigned — with a focus on personal loyalty, constant conflict, and an enduring sense of grievance. It remained uncertain whether this style would ultimately result in significant policy accomplishments or long-lasting political change. What was clear, however, was that Trump's presidency, like his campaign, would continue to defy conventional expectations and rewrite the rules of American politics