The atmosphere in the United States is souring, and this isn’t solely due to the fact that the stock market has seen over $11 trillion vanish since Donald Trump took office. Even supporters like hedge fund manager Bill Ackman now seem afraid of the unpredictable chaos they’ve set in motion. Once a staunch Trump supporter, Ackman recently compared the president’s constant policy turmoil to an “economic nuclear winter.”

This lack of trust in the Trump administration isn’t surprising for those who followed the 2024 campaign closely or during Trump’s career. Trump vowed a presidency devoid of political ideologies or adherence to the law. Instead, he promised to rule by revenge. This downward spiral was inevitable, and things are bound to get worse.

What we are observing is the outcome of a presidency where values are flexible, expertise is disregarded, and the nation’s credibility is an afterthought. If Trump utilized even half the energy he spends on causing chaos to govern, the U.S. might be on its way to the Golden Age he promised. Instead, we are rapidly heading towards avoidable national decline.

Trump’s nonsensical and harmful trade war exemplifies the ideological emptiness of the modern Republican Party. Not only do Trump’s tariffs contradict anything considered “pro-business,” but also the White House’s false economic claims dismiss basic economics. Even his advisors are at a loss to explain his reasoning, which has undermined global confidence in America’s economic stability.

It’s evident that Trump wants to depart from traditional economic policy and replace it with a system where he has the final say, turning each trade deal into a power struggle with other countries, bypassing Congress as specified by the Constitution. This may bolster Trump’s ego, but at what expense?

Laws and processes have safeguarded America’s status as a global economic haven, fostering trust, stability, and economic growth. Trump’s disdain for these foundations damages the nation’s credibility as a trustworthy partner. If lawmakers continue to enable Trump’s actions, they risk jeopardizing American prosperity in the future.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has implored Trump to reconsider his trade war, but even if Trump heeds his advice, the damage has already been done. Switching policy abruptly undermines America’s reliability as a trading partner, prompting countries to seek alternatives. This shift in global trade could pave the way for China and the European Union to emerge as major players on the international stage.

It may be difficult to fathom a future where America’s exceptionalism fades, but Trump’s actions threaten to dismantle the post-World War II economic system that propelled the nation forward. Now, global relationships are strained, and the rules of economics are in disarray. This is a world we rejected nearly a century ago and must reject again.