Trump Marks 100 Days with Fiery Campaign-Style Rally

Donald Trump marked 100 days into his second term with a combative, campaign-style rally in Michigan on Tuesday, vowing that he is “just getting started” in what he described as the most successful early presidency in US history.

Speaking before an enthusiastic crowd, the 78-year-old former president leaned heavily into his signature rhetoric, railing against “fake” media, “communist” judges, and “radical left” Democrats. He also accused allied nations of exploiting the US on trade.

“I miss the campaign trail,” Trump declared, delivering a speech that echoed his days as a candidate more than those of a sitting president. He offered few policy specifics but promised sweeping trade deals, renewed deportation efforts, and an aggressive agenda to reshape American institutions.

One segment of the rally featured a controversial video showing detained migrants being shackled, transported, and forcibly shaved — a stark symbol of Trump’s revived immigration crackdown.

The former president hailed his record so far, declaring, “Either we’ve done everything, or it’s in the process of being done.” He touted executive actions and staffing decisions that have steered his administration in a more hardline direction, free of internal dissent.

Since taking office, Trump has slashed government programs, imposed new tariffs, and reasserted control over federal agencies. Backed by tech billionaire Elon Musk, his administration has overseen significant reductions in the federal workforce and funding freezes for critical institutions, including universities.

In the White House, Trump has replaced Barack Obama’s portrait with a painting of himself surviving an assassination attempt — a move seen by critics as symbolic of his efforts to reshape national memory and narrative.

Polls, however, suggest that Americans are increasingly uneasy. Economic instability, persistent inflation, and political division have taken a toll on public sentiment. Trump has publicly dismissed negative polling but hinted at policy moderation as stock market volatility grows.

He also walked back threats to fire Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, though he continued to criticise him as “not really doing a good job.”

Despite criticism, Trump’s base remains loyal. “He’s amazing,” said Donna Fitzsimons, a 65-year-old supporter at the Michigan rally. “People don’t realise it takes time to get where you need to go.”

Democrats, meanwhile, seized on economic concerns to deliver a sharp rebuke. “Trump is to blame for the fact that life is more expensive and retirement is harder,” the Democratic National Committee said, branding his first 100 days a “colossal failure.”

Trump has stretched executive authority, signing more than 140 executive orders and testing constitutional boundaries. He has pushed to end birthright citizenship and threatened legal firms with restricted access if they previously opposed him.

In a recent interview, Trump dismissed concerns about overreach. “I would hate them to think that,” he said. “I’m doing one thing: I’m making America great again.”

His foreign policy ambitions remain aspirational. Despite promises to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours, Trump has been rebuffed by Russia. Still, he expressed optimism, saying he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin “does want peace.”