A Complete Analysis Of Trump’s 100th Unpresidented Week As POTUS

Donald Trump is alone, afraid, and infuriated as crises of his own making throw his presidency into a state of unmitigated chaos.
profile avatar

by: Ahmed Baba on December 24, 2018

Donald Trump attends a rally, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Donald Trump attends a rally, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Trump’s first major typo after winning the election was spelling Unprecedented incorrectly. He infamously tweeted “Unpresidented.” This typo is a personification of his administration: An impulsive, frantically thrown together group of characters with virtually no oversight. After Trump was sworn in, I started writing the weekly “Unpresidented” column, analyzing his every move. This is week 100.

100 weeks. 700 days. 7,546 lies. 17 known investigations. 1 unstable president impulsively bashing against the restraints of the rule of law while breaking America’s democratic and international norms like a bow-legged bull in a Russian glassware shop. Of course, all of this wouldn’t be possible without the sycophantic Republican Party, who is so afraid of the base they radicalized for decades, they pretend they don’t have the constitutional means to stop the crisis they unleashed on this world.

This is the current state of the United States after almost two years of President Trump. It’s truly remarkable how one man can have such a damaging effect on a nation that prides itself on the resilience of its institutions. This week, the damage was profound.

Obsessively watching cable news and lashing out at aides, report after report has painted a picture of President Trump at his absolute worst. To confirm those reports, one needs to look no further than his Twitter feed. Trump, a personification of the ego, is incapable of growth and unable to take responsibility for his actions. What’s at issue here is the fact the President of the United States has the mental maturity of a toddler and the depravity of a despot. If Trump lacked the mental fortitude to lead the nation in good times, then he will certainly further unravel during the bad, the worst of which is yet to come.

Secretary of Defense James Mattis, who didn’t follow President Trump’s impulsive 2017 order to assassinate Syrian Dictator Bashar Al-Assad, was the most important guardrail standing firmly between Trump and international calamity. Well-read and measured to his core, Mattis’ character was more akin to his lesser-known nickname, the “warrior monk,” than his more popular moniker “Mad Dog.” Mattis was one of the few people preventing Trump from unleashing his worst foreign policy instincts. But that era is over.

For years, the Kurdish YPG fought side-by-side with the US-led coalition in Syria. After helping the US severely cripple ISIS, we’re abandoning the Kurds to a devastating fate because of Trump’s impulsive decision he made on a phone call Turkish President Recep Erdogan, who aims to slaughter them. The move was so disastrous it united Republicans, Democrats, and members of the media (including Fox & Friends) on a single message: this move hands a win to Erdogan, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iran, and ISIS.

After this and other recent moves, Mattis sent in his resignation letter clearly rebuking President Trump’s authoritarian-friendly worldview. Mattis was set to leave his office at the end of February so he could still represent the US at the NATO ministerial. President Trump has since cut that short, forcing Mattis out by January 1st.

Now, we have a Christmas government shutdown because President Trump is using his last bit of leverage before the Democrats take over the House of Representatives, to hold government funding hostage for an unnecessary and costly campaign promise only an intolerant minority of Americans want.

On top of all this, the Dow had the largest Christmas Eve plunge in history. Trump’s narcissism makes it impossible for him to see he’s responsible for this market as he took to Twitter blaming everyone but himself. His trade war started it, but now he attacks Fed Chair Jerome Powell and wants to fire him, further causing volatility. And Steve Mnuchin’s weekend statement didn’t help either. Trump is a one-man ego wrecking ball.

With investigations diving into his life of corruption already implicating him in felonies, an incoming check on his presidency from the Democratic-led House, an increasingly divided country living in two very different realities, and a potential incoming economic downturn largely caused by President Trump’s own trade policies, the next two years are very likely going to be some of the volatile two years in American history.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report on his investigation into the potential conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia, as well as President Trump’s efforts to obstruct that investigation, is expected to come in early 2019.

Impeachment is likely in the 2019 Democratic House. Conviction in the Republican-controlled Senate is another story. All the while, calls for the 25th amendment to be invoked grow louder. The American people have their sights on 2020 but many are eager for more action sooner.

There is no longer a debate as to whether Trump is unfit for office. The only debate that remains is what we should do about it.

This comprehensive column sources great reporting from top news organizations, but it’s also built on brilliant analysis from my team at Rantt Media. If you like the work we do, please consider supporting us by making a one-time donation or signing up for a monthly subscription.

How Much Of An Impact Did Russia’s Disinformation Have? (A Lot)

Day 697: Monday, December 17

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump talk as they arrive for the family photo session during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Danang, Vietnam, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump talk as they arrive for the family photo session during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Danang, Vietnam, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Two Independent reports that were commissioned by the Senate revealed even more details about how the Russian government used social media to spread disinformation and manipulate American voters. It revealed details about how the now-indicted Internet Research Agency targeted specific demographics with the disinformation that sought to divide Democrats, attack Hillary Clinton, and further radicalize conservatives with anti-immigration propaganda. It wasn’t just Facebook, Twitter, and Google being utilized, but some of their properties like Instagram, Vine, and YouTube as well. Other sites like Reddit, Pinterest, Tumblr and email applications like Yahoo and Gmail were used by the Russians. The Russians also targeted Special Counsel Robert Mueller. The reports also provided more evidence bolstering what we already knew: it was all in an effort to help candidate Trump become President Trump.

In other news…

The Trump Foundation Fraud

Day 698: Tuesday, December 18

Donald Trump arrives to speak during a campaign rally, Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, in Manchester, N.H. From left, Eric Trump, Vanessa Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Mike Pence, Karen Pence, Trump, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and Tiffany Trump. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

Donald Trump arrives to speak during a campaign rally, Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, in Manchester, N.H. From left, Eric Trump, Vanessa Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Mike Pence, Karen Pence, Trump, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and Tiffany Trump. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

On Tuesday, the New York Attorney General forced the Trump Foundation to shut down for their years of illegal activity.

I had some thoughts on this story. Check out my thread:

In other news…

  • The New York Times published a damning piece on Facebook’s privacy practices.

The Reckless Syria Withdrawal

Day 699: Wednesday, December 19

President Trump shaking hands with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (top) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (bottom) – (AP)

President Trump shaking hands with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (top) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (bottom) – (AP)

On Wednesday, President Trump made a move that will have disastrous ramifications. Better for none other than Rantt’s Foreign Affairs Editor Jossif Ezekilov to explain it to you:

Today’s withdrawal can be seen as an outright capitulation at best, and a cynical abandonment of US allies and principles at worst. Pulling out troops in such hasty manner-i.e. without consulting advisors and allies, without providing a strategy to do so, or even failing to notify US-supported groups in Syria – has no discernible positive outcomes for US foreign policy or national security. The move, however, is music to the ears of Mr. Erdogan and a host of parties hostile to US interests, namely Russia, Iran, Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, and ISIS.

…

As bad as the potential outcomes are in the short and medium term, the long-term implications of Trump’s order are that much worse. The US has always justified its military operations as necessary to promote peace, stability, and/or democracy. By leaving its allies to fend for themselves against brutal dictators, it now sends a different message: the US stands for nothing and is not to be trusted.

To read the full detailed analysis, check out his article here:

In other news…

The Last Guardrail

Day 700: Thursday, December 20

President Trump (AP) and soon-to-be-former Secretary of Defense James Mattis (Official White House Photo)

President Trump (AP) and soon-to-be-former Secretary of Defense James Mattis (Official White House Photo)

On Thursday, Secretary of Defense James Mattis sent a shockwave throughout the world with his powerful resignation letter. Mattis did not mince words and made it very clear he was leaving President Trump’s Cabinet due to his differences with Trump’s worldview. Trump’s transactional approach to life does not blend well with the necessity for long-term, diplomatic alliances.

As the week went on, additional information surrounding Mattis’ departure surfaced.

And concern about our allies grew.

This is the best piece I’ve read on Mattis’ departure thus far:

It was quite the day.

As we saw over the weekend, President Trump forced Mattis out even earlier and appointed his deputy Patrick Shanahan to replace him. Shanahan previously worked for defense contractors…

In other news…

Shutdown For What?

Day 701: Friday, December 21

President Donald Trump listens during a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump listens during a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

As we approached the midnight shutdown, like clockwork, President Trump tried to blame the Democrats after previously saying he owns it.

After the House passes a bill which included $5 billion in border wall funding it failed in the Senate, and the shutdown was now inevitable.

Meanwhile, the markets continued to tank.

And President Trump’s favorite propaganda arm turned on him for a moment.

In other news…

  • Another thread of potential obstruction of justice to be on the lookout for:

Christmas Eve Weekend

Day 702, 703, and 704: Saturday, Sunday, and Monday – December 22, 23, 24

President Donald Trump walks towards Marine One as he departs from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, to spend the weekend at Camp David in Maryland. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

President Donald Trump walks towards Marine One as he departs from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, to spend the weekend at Camp David in Maryland. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

On Saturday, The New York Times dropped a report about Trump’s state of mind that should worry every American:

Now, the president who once declared that “I alone can fix” the system increasingly stands alone in a system that seems as broken as ever. The swirl of recent days — a government shutdown, spiraling scandals, tumbling stock markets, abrupt troop withdrawals and the resignation of his alienated defense secretary — has left the impression of a presidency at risk of spinning out of control.

At the midpoint of his term, Mr. Trump has grown more sure of his own judgment and more cut off from anyone else’s than at any point since taking office. He spends ever more time in front of a television, often retreating to his residence out of concern that he is being watched too closely. As he sheds advisers at a head-spinning rate, he reaches out to old associates, complaining that few of the people around him were there at the beginning.

That report also mentioned how President Trump has discussed firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell over the last few days. Then, on Sunday, Steve Mnuchin sent out a statement claiming that he called bankers to check on their liquidity, which would lead to even further market volatility on Christmas Eve.

As the President sat in the White House alone, he took to Twitter confirming the reports about his mental instability.

Those are just a few of many of his impulsive tweets. I responded to one of them reminding him that real human beings are being affected by his actions.

By the end of the trading day, the Trump-triggered market slump made history, but not the good kind…

Look on the bright side, at least we can all say Merry Christmas again.

This comprehensive article sources great reporting from top news organizations, but it’s also built on brilliant analysis from our team at Rantt Media. If you like the work we do, please consider supporting us by making a one-time donation or signing up for a monthly subscription.

If you’d like to support our projects, please consider helping to fund our operation by joining our community.

What we’re offering:

$1 subscription: Support independent journalism at a time when it’s more important than ever before and never miss a Rantt article.

$3 subscription: Receive an exclusive invite into Rantt’s community chatroom (#newsroom Slack channel) where our writers, editors, and other patrons break down the latest news of the day.

$5 subscription: Receive an exclusive invite into Rantt’s community chatroom and gain access to additional private channels.

If you’d rather make a one-time donation, you can do it on Paypal!

Unpresidented // Donald Trump / Economy / James Mattis / Republican Party / World
profile avatar

by: Ahmed Baba

Ahmed Baba is the Co-Founder and President of Rantt. Writer of Unpresidented, Ahmed documented and analyzed every day of the Trump presidency. He's also a columnist at The Independent and his work has been cited in The New York Times, The Washington Post, BBC, Rolling Stone, BuzzFeed, The New York Post, The Huffington Post, Yahoo News, Blavity, Newsweek, The Telegraph, and more. He can be reached at [email protected] or found on Twitter @AhmedBaba_.

  All Articles