Donald Trump pledged that his administration would make good on its promises. But as Americans head to the midterm elections, the second-term record described in the original report is marked by unmet commitments and widespread concern over the cost of living.
Trump promised a “golden age” for the United States and said the country would grow at an unprecedented rate. Instead, the report says, gross domestic product grew by 2.1% in 2025, its weakest performance in five years. It also notes that diesel prices have risen 40% in a year, while many Americans say basic goods, fuel and fertiliser have become more expensive.
Economic concerns have become central to the campaign. Only 25% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, according to figures cited in the report; his overall approval stands at 32%. Nearly seven in 10 respondents believe the country is moving in the wrong direction, and most attribute declining purchasing power to rising prices.
Trump has campaigned on investments in factories and energy projects, presenting them as evidence that his policies are working. These include a liquefied natural gas pipeline in Alaska, a steel plant in Iowa, a power station in Texas, a pharmaceutical project in Kentucky and a quartz mine in North Carolina. A Reuters investigation cited in the report found that many of the projects remain uncertain or may take years to deliver benefits.
The report also lists other promises and policy decisions that have defined Trump’s first 21 months back in office. He has not lowered the cost of living, has deported both undocumented and documented immigrants, and has cut free health insurance, it says. He also promised to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza within 24 hours, but did not do so. The account describes the war in Iran, which began on February 28, as a major turning point that overshadowed other events, including the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January.
Trump’s presidency has also included an array of executive actions. The report cites the deployment of troops to respond to protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement in July, an order to end birthright citizenship in January and tariffs imposed on almost all trading partners in April.
Seeking to secure Republican support in the elections, Trump has also promised $5,000 to every citizen if his party retains control of Congress. Democrats have dismissed the proposal as a political bribe. The offer adds to a campaign in which the president’s promises of prosperity are being tested against voters’ concerns about affordability.
Sources: La Vanguardia.