Trump and His Pyrrhic Victories
Published in El Heraldo de México
(Mexico) on 21 May 2025
by José Carreño Figueras (link to original)
Trump seems as determined as ever to declare victories, even some real ones, in the face of a literal avalanche of bad news.
One of the basic principles of President Donald Trump's philosophy is to always declare victory, no matter how bad the situation may be. This approach has been part of his strategy as a businessman and now as a politician and president.
Trump seems as determined as ever to announce triumphs, even some real ones, in the face of a literal cascade of bad news and entanglements for his administration. Imposing tariffs on U.S. imports from nearly the entire world and the resulting international friction is one of the most complicated such entanglements.
Moreover, after weeks of claiming that the tariffs will not impact the U.S. economy, a few days ago Trump demanded the impossible. Walmart and other large retailers should “swallow” the cost of the tariffs without passing them on to consumers.
A budget bill, which the president describes as “big and beautiful,” translates into lower taxes for big business but higher taxes for the middle class amid growing concerns about the future of the economy, symbolized by the downgrade of the U.S. credit rating, say his critics.
The same legislation includes cuts to Medicaid, the medical assistance program that covers 71.2 million people, of whom at least 8 million could be excluded within a decade. A much heralded attempt to cut the government deficit by up to $2 billion has so far resulted in the layoff of just over 150,000 employees, but savings are far below what was promised.
And in a country where a president's success is measured by the economy, these initial stumbles could spell trouble for a leader who, since taking office on Jan. 20, has been embroiled in controversies and scandals stemming in part from his imperious personal style and an attempt to centralize power in his own hands.
At the same time, Trump has proclaimed that he will at least try to fulfill his campaign promises, however outlandish or negative they may be, or in some cases, have proven to be. And along the way, he has pleased his voters. So far.
Certainly, trying has not been a problem for Trump, who, according to his critics and sometimes even his supporters, pursues his goals regardless of how or what he uses to achieve them.
Meanwhile, Trump administration officials who the American press say are convinced that the president's election last November gives them the cover they need to act with impunity, are even carrying out the president's personal vendettas with little more than a legal veneer, and who the press accuses of being more focused on pleasing the president than on fulfilling their legal duties. Claims of victory seem increasingly costly, like those of the legendary Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, who when he won, he lost.
One of the basic principles of President Donald Trump's philosophy is to always declare victory, no matter how bad the situation may be. This approach has been part of his strategy as a businessman and now as a politician and president.
Trump seems as determined as ever to announce triumphs, even some real ones, in the face of a literal cascade of bad news and entanglements for his administration. Imposing tariffs on U.S. imports from nearly the entire world and the resulting international friction is one of the most complicated such entanglements.
Moreover, after weeks of claiming that the tariffs will not impact the U.S. economy, a few days ago Trump demanded the impossible. Walmart and other large retailers should “swallow” the cost of the tariffs without passing them on to consumers.
A budget bill, which the president describes as “big and beautiful,” translates into lower taxes for big business but higher taxes for the middle class amid growing concerns about the future of the economy, symbolized by the downgrade of the U.S. credit rating, say his critics.
The same legislation includes cuts to Medicaid, the medical assistance program that covers 71.2 million people, of whom at least 8 million could be excluded within a decade. A much heralded attempt to cut the government deficit by up to $2 billion has so far resulted in the layoff of just over 150,000 employees, but savings are far below what was promised.
And in a country where a president's success is measured by the economy, these initial stumbles could spell trouble for a leader who, since taking office on Jan. 20, has been embroiled in controversies and scandals stemming in part from his imperious personal style and an attempt to centralize power in his own hands.
At the same time, Trump has proclaimed that he will at least try to fulfill his campaign promises, however outlandish or negative they may be, or in some cases, have proven to be. And along the way, he has pleased his voters. So far.
Certainly, trying has not been a problem for Trump, who, according to his critics and sometimes even his supporters, pursues his goals regardless of how or what he uses to achieve them.
Meanwhile, Trump administration officials who the American press say are convinced that the president's election last November gives them the cover they need to act with impunity, are even carrying out the president's personal vendettas with little more than a legal veneer, and who the press accuses of being more focused on pleasing the president than on fulfilling their legal duties. Claims of victory seem increasingly costly, like those of the legendary Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, who when he won, he lost.
Previous article![]( "Trump’s Selfishness")
Next article![]( "The Irish Times View on Trump’s Tariff Threats: the EU Should Be in No Rush To Respond")
