Trump's Top 20 - Whole Lotta Shaking Goin On

Jerry Lee Lewis, James Brown, Steve Martin

Given ALL that has transpired during the first two months of Donald Trump’s second and last term, I asked Grok - the AI platform of Elon Musk’s X.com - for the Top 20 controversies to date.

Admittedly, AI is not perfect and everyone is going to disagree on the Top 20. This was an attempt at objectivity.

I offer my two cents on each. So for a grand total of 40 cents…you’re welcome.

As always - love your feedback either via email reply, comment submission, or via text.

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Everything below is a direct cut and paste from Grok - expect my two pennies which are italicized.

Whole Lotta Shakin Goin’ On

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As of March 19, 2025, Donald Trump’s second term as the 47th President of the United States began on January 20, 2025, giving us just under two months of activity to assess.

Given the short timeframe and the evolving nature of his administration, a definitive list of the "top 20 controversies" is premature, but I can highlight some of the most notable controversies that have emerged or are anticipated based on his early actions, campaign promises, and historical patterns from his first term.

Here’s a list of 20 controversies either already in play or widely discussed as potential flashpoints, drawn from available data and current sentiment:

1. Mass Pardons of January 6 Rioters: On his first day, Trump pardoned approximately 1,500 individuals convicted in the January 6 Capitol attack, sparking outrage among critics who see it as undermining justice and rewarding insurrectionists.

CS - Mistake. This could have been mitigated had Trump bifurcated the violent offenders and dealt with them individually, but that would have taken too long and kept the narrative running.

Trump is not running for re-election and will not be held accountable for this or many other controversial decisions. That will serve him well. He doesn’t have to worry about the nomination or general election. Might not serve us well, BUT he is far more unencumbered than ever.

2. Record-Breaking Executive Orders: Signing around 70 executive orders in his first month—far exceeding predecessors—has led to legal challenges and accusations of overreach.

CS - Perfectly legitimate. Three branches of government with checks and balances. Legislature makes laws, executive branch carries laws out, judicial branch interprets laws. Rinse and repeat. And off to court they go! Which is very important for folks to acknowledge. Trump will push to the edge on EVERYTHING he wants. Then the courts weigh in. This is what we do, America (and the world). Founding Fathers for the win. (FTW)

3. Immigration Crackdown: Executive orders blocking asylum-seekers and initiating a mass deportation program have drawn criticism for their harshness and logistical feasibility, with immigrant communities bracing for impact.

CS - This was the #1 issue among the Republican base during the two years of the campaign. See #2 - Trump will push the Court to find the edge. Turns out Biden really didn’t need a bill after all. The 2026 midterms await for an update on the results. Big winner for Trump and the GOP.

4. Tariffs on Mexico and Canada: Imposing 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada has ignited a trade war, with economists warning of price hikes and GDP reduction.

CS - Oy. Overall, I’m in a wait and see mode. To me, it appears that Trump, once again, is changing the deal he previously agreed to in the USMCA. This is fine and completely within his rights as POTUS. Barely reported, however, is the underlying reality - Team Trump says that if other countries lower their tariffs (which are also NEVER reported), we will drop ours. My gut says that in the end, tariffs will net downward and that will bring down prices. Eventually. But hey, you know me - I’m an optimist.

5. Tariffs on China: A 10% tariff on Chinese goods has escalated tensions, raising fears of economic retaliation and supply chain disruptions.

CS - China is a political piñata. Easy candy. Winning issues for Trump. Not a lot of downside, but TikTok is sure putting up a fight.

5. Greenland Acquisition Push: A congressional bill introduced in February 2025 to acquire Greenland and rename it "Red, White, and Blueland" has provoked international backlash and diplomatic strain with Denmark.

CS - Diplomatic strain with Denmark? Oh dear. Not THAT. Seriously though, Greenland is a geopolitically important and the net result here will be our more assertive involvement in the North Atlantic and Arctic. This is a win for Trump overall and detractors should see the overall benefit for the U.S. and the West.

7. Panama Canal Demand: Trump’s insistence on reclaiming control of the Panama Canal over "excessive rates" has stirred controversy and threatened U.S.-Panama relations.

CS - Another win for Trump. Americans voted for a stronger, more assertive president and this is a clear demonstration of that. Voters see this and think, “what the hell have we been doing???” Zero downside here.

8. Associated Press Ban: Banning AP journalists from the Oval Office and Air Force One over a naming dispute (calling it the "Gulf of America") has led to a lawsuit and cries of press suppression.

CS - This conflict has been on low simmer for some time. The AP’s Stylebook is the under reported story here. Cries of press suppression fall on totally deaf ears with me. The legacy media has embarrassed itself for years. FAFO. There are plenty of media outlets and the AP brought this on themselves. Tough tacos. Also - most media outlets, especially in cable news are complete and total GARBAGE. That goes for those on the Left AND the Right. AWFUL.

9. Judicial Conflicts: Trump’s attacks on federal judges—calling them "judicial activists" after rulings against his policies—have fueled talk of a constitutional crisis, amplified by Elon Musk’s call for judicial impeachments.

CS - This is the process. Trust the process. Where are all the constitutional purists on the Right these days? This is judicial review 101 time. The compliant Trump media are repeating the lines that judges are “unelected!” (no sh*t) and ruling against the President who was elected by the voters! Also - tough sh*t. That’s the job. But you know what? Trump appeals. And appeals. And will until he is happy or unless SCOTUS finally rules. This is the process. All the nitwits on the Right attacking judges are playing with fire.

10. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Nomination: Nominating RFK Jr., an anti-vaccine advocate, as health secretary has alarmed public health experts and reignited debates over science in government.

CS - All Kamala had to do was return RFK Jr’s call and MAHA never happens. Stupid is as stupid does. Overall, I think this is a net positive for America, our health, and health care system. More debate is good. Democrats blew it here - BIGLY. Blues Brothers are instructive for Democrats:

Commercial Break

10. Mass Federal Layoffs: Initiating widespread layoffs of federal workers has drawn ire from unions and raised concerns about government functionality.

CS - In life, it’s not so much what you do but the manner in which you do it. The velocity seems to have lessened with the DOGE bros lately. Poorly communicated - this was a potential massive win for Trump. It’s still early in the process, but the messaging has been terrible. Democrats are missing an opportunity here to get back to being the successful sober suburban technocrats that came across as competent government officials. While DOGE has been an object lesson in bad comms, the messaging by the Democrats is worse.

12. Paris Climate Agreement Withdrawal: Plans to exit the agreement again have angered environmentalists and global allies.

CS - Win for Trump. Rarely reported. Regulatory relief = economic growth. Oh and Greenpeace just got a $660 MM jury judgement agains them in North Dakota.

13. World Health Organization Exit: Moves to withdraw from the WHO have been criticized as shortsighted amid ongoing global health challenges.

CS - Go Wuhan Flu Yourself. Win for Trump.

13. Diversity Program Cuts: Ending federal diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives has sparked accusations of rolling back civil rights progress.

CS - DEI - the New Coke of political ideas. DEI was fine when corporations were bathing in all that excessive liquidity. Then it dried up and shareholders had to look at the bottom line. DEI just didn’t stand the test of time. Big surprise - never answered the why question for companies. Businesses start by trying to solve a problem or create a need. DEI programs ended up not providing benefits commensurate with the costs. Even “woke” chambers of commerce are ditching DEI.

15. Transgender Sports Ban: Pledges to ban transgender athletes from certain sports have reignited culture war debates.

CS - Another 80% issue in which Democrats took the 20%. All those college and advanced degrees and math not among them. Taking potential athletic college scholarships from girls is enraging to so many parents. Not to mention that some sports are down right dangerous. Make no mistake - while this is about fairness in sports, many parents see it as about paying for college.

16. Missile Defense Shield Proposal: Reviving a Reagan-era missile defense plan has been called impractical and a budgetary boondoggle by critics.

CS - Win for Trump. Hard to see any downside to American voters feeling safer or that their President is looking out and up for them.

17. Social Security and Tax Promises: Vague promises to end taxes on tips and Social Security have raised questions about fiscal responsibility and feasibility.

CS - With all the Sturm und Drang around DOGE, can you imagine the sh*t storm brewing over dealing with the really BIG bills dues on Medicare, Medicaid, and SS?

18. Ukraine-Russia Peace Claim: Trump’s boast of ending the war within 24 hours lacks a clear plan, drawing skepticism from foreign policy experts.

CS - In a world of damned if you do and damned if you don’t - take damned for doing. Give the man credit where it’s due. At least Trump is trying to get something done here. No, I don’t think he’s a Putin stooge or asset. I think the play here is trying to keep Putin from being overthrown by the oligarchs. Stability in the region is necessary for long term economic growth for Europe and the world. Russia has lost the war and this is a way to mitigate long term and dangerous destabilization INSIDE Russia. HOWEVER, Putin started this war to take all of Ukraine and Trump pushing Europe to step up is a smart play. It helps us fiscally - see above - and Lord knows we need it.

19. Cabinet Loyalty Emphasis: Appointing loyalists over experienced officials has led to concerns about competence and unchecked power.

CS - Live and learn. Trump 2.0 is performing better, for him, than the first term. Hard to make the argument that this team is incompetent this early given the team they are replacing was so bad. Let’s be honest - the previous team lost to Hitler. Just ask them. The cries about qualifications come from coastal elites who ascribe competence with degrees and certifications. Being well educated doesn’t necessarily make you competent.

20. Personal Grievances in Policy: Framing his agenda as retribution against a "corrupt establishment" in his inaugural address has worried observers about governance driven by vendettas.

CS - George Washington made a similar warning. “Worried observers” are rarely held to account for getting things wrong. If the observers are the legacy media, most of them should be fired for their bias and gross inaccuracies. For folks inside the federal government - they should avoid partisan politics at all costs. Remember all those involved in the Russian hoax? Any of them held accountable? Nope. At it opens up the rest of entire government for overreaction. The ol’ what goes around comes around theory of life fits here.

Had the media and other key leaders inside the beltway had held President Biden to account, they might have a leg to stand on. But they don’t, because they didn’t’. They were complicit. Period.

That’s the Top 20 from Grok! If you have any others, I am taking suggestions. My comments are offered to create thought, dialogue, and feedback.

Family update - Mary Kathryn, first in line to throne, is due TODAY to deliver our first grandchild. It’s a girl per the October beach week gender reveal.

Michele and Nora (3rd in line) are with Mary Kathryn and her USMC Sgt. husband in upstate NY providing loving support.

On the health care front for me, my next PSA test was moved to the end of the month and will give us an update on the cancer. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers! It was caught SUPER early and we are in monitor only phase.

Gentlemen, please get tested. Prostate cancer is very curable.

Honestly, keeping up with Trump 2.0 is like the drunk driving test scene from Man with Two Brains: