Well, Trump told us who he was ...

And so the Trump 2.0 era begins, and this time it’s turbocharged. Since taking the oath of office with his hand merely hovering near the Bible, Donald J. Trump has been keen to mark his territory in the same fashion as a Caprisun-hued Rottweiler with its hind legs akimbo would.

Despite any global disquiet, make no mistake, as far as the political establishment is concerned, the Trump White House is the North Star that will serve as the focal point for setting the political agenda, at least in the medium and short term.

The UK prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has been circumspect in any public criticism of the new administration and will, of course, do his best to walk that tightrope of political integrity, while keeping the diplomatic peace. With previous critical tweets of Trump by Labour big-hitters unearthed with embarrassing consequences, it seems an uneasy truce has been called.

After all, Britain is well aware of how exposed it is outside the European Union. And while Labour and the Republicans are not the most obvious of bedfellows, Starmer is looking to avoid any Trump ire being directed at London.

He would only have to look at the current ‘trade war’ that’s broken out between the US and Canada, Mexico and China. Despite analysts warning that tit-for-tat tariffs battles are not economically viable and will fail to achieve Washington’s desired goal of American growth, most recognise this for what it is –Trump throwing his political weight around. Nations with a deep reliance on the US are being warned to ‘play ball, or else’.

During the presidential race, Trump and his support base were crystal-clear in letting the electorate know what the then candidate’s priorities were. Deportations and ‘securing’ the borders and fighting the ‘anti-woke’ culture wars were touted as essential issues to address. Despite this (or because of it) white women and Latino men voted in their millions to help the MAGA crew cross that finish line.

The raft of executive orders signed by the president in the first days of office showed he was at least consistent and true to his word.

POLITICAL LOW-HANGING FRUITS

From an outsider’s perspective, the orders seem to be weapons to attack those who are considered weak, unimportant, disposable, and political low-hanging fruits. How else would you describe the root-and-branch dismantling of DEI (diversity, equality and inclusion) initiatives by the current administration?

Take the nauseating way Trump, his defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, and Vice-President JD Vance are claiming the recent plane crash in Washington, DC involving a commercial airliner and a military helicopter “could have been caused’ by DEI”policies at the Federal Aviation Administration.

With the victims all not even recovered from the icy Potomac river at the time of the presser, and no official reports prepared, a tragedy was immediately politicised by an administration more concerned with scoring cheap points, instead of searching for the truth.

We have already seen examples of Trump voters appearing online and declining these policies being enacted, think that what Trump said clearly did not apply to their individual lives. This is a message for those from the Caribbean and in the diaspora; you cannot support the ‘Leopard Face-Eating’ Party and then be surprised that the leopard is trying to eat your face.

There was a disappointing number of ethnic minorities who thought that Trump, leading a crackdown on immigration and refugees and woke policies, would perhaps even the playing field; so far I’m failing to see this logic.

HIGHEST COST

Let’s just look at some of these new White House initiatives. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) enhanced raids that have anecdotally scooped up perfectly innocent individuals, whose only transgression of American law is to appear black or brown.

We also have the attempt to roll back birthright citizenship – which is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment and says anyone born on US soil is a US citizen. Though this executive order has already been subject to legal challenge, with one justice already calling it “unconstitutional”, the fact that it now forms part of Trump’s immigration plans is sure to cause unease, worry and unnecessary stress for those who fall within that targeted category.

Just between us, we could all recall someone who ended up in a foreign land under less-than-legal means. To have their offspring penalised for their parent’s decisions seems particularly cruel.

This is politics like we have rarely seen it before. Facts are immaterial, military and economic might rules the day. and ultimately, it will be those who can least afford to, who will pay the highest cost. If this shows us anything, it’s when someone tells you who they are, believe. Trump’s America is doing just that. You can be amazed or appalled, but you can never say you didn’t know.

Amina Taylor is a journalist and broadcaster. She is the former editor of Pride magazine and works as producer, presenter and correspondent with Press TV in London.