While it seems that many would like to see Donald Trump take some lead to the brain, I am more interested in getting inside his brain.
Doing my best to filter out the bluster, bravado, and gamesmanship, I attempt in this article to capture the actual intentions of Trump in his second term as president of the United States.
Since Trump stepped back into the Oval Office on January 20, he has left many puzzled as to his intentions regarding domestic policy and international politics.
He started by assembling a very dynamic and different leadership team when compared with other presidents – and even with his own first presidency. Key players such as Tulsi Gabbard, Robert F Kennedy Jr., and Elon Musk have been hand-picked to interrupt the status quo and bring reform both within the U.S. and the way that it acts internationally. This is underscored by the record number of executive orders signed by Trump since inauguration (124 in 100 days). [1]
It appears Trump hopes to achieve the restoration of the U.S. as the undisputed world leader in economics and in geopolitics, by any means necessary. While it is clear that Trump is having a huge impact, there is concern that Trump is bypassing constitutional law and ruling the country with his signature, overstepping federal power in issues usually ruled by individual states. This plethora of executive orders has encompassed a wide range of topics, including immigration, tariffs, diversity programs, and education. The Trump administration, indeed, has been reshaping the U.S. to his image, with relatively little resistance thus far. [1]
After Trump stated his desire for major economic change, there has been massive upheaval from the status quo. The U.S. has become a protectionist country, primarily through the implementation of tariffs on imports.
Trump has claimed repeatedly that other countries have been taking advantage of the U.S. for too long, and that it is time for this to end. Tariffs were placed on many countries, with rates varying from 10% on some such as the United Kingdom, to 145% on China. On April 2, which Trump labelled as “Liberation Day”, he declared a national emergency, vowing to increase the U.S.’s competitive edge, protect sovereignty, and strengthen national and economic security. [2]
Trump seems unfazed by the prospect of economic isolation brought on by these actions. Tariffs can make imported goods so uncompetitive – even in one of the biggest consumer markets in the world – that many companies would be forced to return some manufacturing to the U.S. after being lured away by the benefits of globalization, including lower-cost manufacturing abroad. New/emerging companies, meanwhile, now have more incentive to set up manufacturing in the U.S.
Trump prides himself on being a master of the Art of the Deal, which is the title of the book he co-authored and released in 1987. Within a week of Liberation Day, many countries were ready to come to the negotiating table as global markets plunged. Trump put a pause on some of these tariffs for countries willing to negotiate. This, in turn, provided a relief rally to the financial markets. [3]
Another motivation for Trump has been to re-establish the U.S. as a global leader in technological development. We see this playing out in several ways, including pushing to dominate the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency realm. This has been partially achieved through the introduction of regulations on the industry, alongside the creation of the Bitcoin Reserve and the Digital Asset Stockpile, established on March 6, making Trump the first pro-crypto president of the U.S. [4]
Trump also appears intent on helping put an end to wars, playing a key part in the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Palestine. Trump has addressed the military threats of global superpowers Russia and China with an overarching commitment to protect the lives of U.S. citizens, including military personnel. He has made no secret of his aim to further entrench U.S. dominance militarily and geopolitically. [5]
Undertaking the daunting task of trying to get inside Trump’s head, I can safely say that he has set in motion a highly ambitious second term in office. He appears motivated by a legacy that could be established in this four-year term; to be remembered in history as an American hero. He is charting that course economically through the reversal of globalization that saw the undermining of U.S. heavy industries. That included the decline of the motor vehicle industry in states such as Michigan and Texas, especially with the decimation of formerly economically mighty Detroit. So, it would be a coup for Trump if tariffs can force companies to return to the U.S. through economic isolationism. [6]
Moreover, the threat of a third world war has been growing, with global tensions heightened over conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Kashmir, Syria, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Congo, Myanmar, as well as over China’s efforts to dominate the South China Sea and neighbouring countries including Taiwan, a microchip-producing powerhouse and a priority in global conversations.
All things considered, my view from inside the brain of the current U.S. president reveals a desire to achieve high-profile goals (great for the ego) and to establish an enduring legacy through economic disruption and geopolitical conflict resolution. [7]
References:
[1] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-executive-orders-constitution-law-b2738186.html
[2] https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/04/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-declares-national-emergency-to-increase-our-competitive-edge-protect-our-sovereignty-and-strengthen-our-national-and-economic-security/
[3] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz95589ey9yo
[4] https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/03/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-establishes-the-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-and-u-s-digital-asset-stockpile/
[5] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9dj4402qejo
[6] https://www.bentley.edu/news/detroits-downfall
[7] https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/25/ukraine-gaza-iran-witkoff-trump
