Why the Trump Era Could Be Considered a Golden Age of Madness and Inefficiency

Andrew Coyne, an American foreign policy analyst and writer, Commented: According to Globe and Mail, any moment during Trump’s time in office can be seen as a “golden age,” because, literally, he could always become more erratic, corrupt, dictatorial, and inefficient. There is a clear reason for this: Trump and his supporters can only grow and survive through noise and scandal, and this is something Americans have become accustomed to.

Simply saying or doing terrible things is not enough. Trump has engaged in almost every bizarre action imaginable, often performing multiple highly unusual acts in a single day. The main challenge for his critics is to maintain public outrage over his actions while countering the normalization of oppression and illegal actions by the President.

Trump’s behavior has worsened over time. His current conduct is far more concerning than during his early days in power, which were themselves worse than his campaign period. Even his first term in office was more chaotic than many critics anticipated.

Unfortunately, what critics did not expect is that the issue is no longer only about Trump himself. He has a highly negative influence on public behavior in the United States, particularly among his supporters. To feed his addiction to anger and hatred, Trump not only displays more disgusting behavior but has escalated both the speed and intensity of these actions exponentially. We are now living in a sort of hyperinflation of chaos under Trump’s presidency, reminiscent of Nero’s rule over the Roman Empire.

Consider some basic factors: Trump’s mental and physical state has visibly deteriorated. He now frequently dozes or naps during Cabinet meetings, posts on social media at a frantic pace, and uses insulting tones. Additionally, there has been no clear explanation for why Trump has undergone certain medical tests unexpectedly.

Trump follows a consistent pattern: he routinely lies and engages in improper conduct. He rarely behaves rationally or normally. This approach is deliberate—Trump wants to remain the center of attention and maintain control over everything. He also feels compelled to torment his critics and opponents.

Within this framework, Trump has surrounded himself with individuals who share his psychological traits, such as Stephen Miller, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and J.D. Vance—individuals arguably among the most controversial figures in modern American history. His supporters mirror this behavior, dismissing polls showing declining popularity as false. For them, Trump fuels a sense of revenge while removing any limits on their wrongful actions.

The consequences of Trump and his supporters’ actions amount to widespread destruction. His administration has been immersed in unprecedented levels of corruption, from top to bottom. Critics such as David Frum argue that this is unworthy of a nation that considers itself the wealthiest and most exemplary democracy in the world.

The New Yorker reported that since Trump’s return to power, the wealth of him and his family has surpassed $3 billion, much of it derived from family cryptocurrency dealings. Through these ventures, Trump and his family appear to accept payments in exchange for policy influence, openly taking gifts and adjusting U.S. policies to benefit donors.

The U.S. Department of Justice has effectively become a tool for Trump’s actions. Friends of Trump enjoy immunity, and over the past year, he has issued pardons to over 1,700 individuals, including those involved in fraud, drug trafficking, and the January 6 Capitol attack.

Regarding competence, Trump’s failures are extensive. Elon Musk was expected to streamline government efficiency under Trump but soon resigned, revealing a significant rift. Government shutdowns have caused notable chaos, including air traffic disruptions. Additionally, senior officials have reportedly disclosed confidential government matters via social media.

All these factors point to one reality: brace yourself—worse days may still lie ahead under Trump’s leadership.