10-12-2025

Trump's Economic and Foreign Policy Under Fire

Date: 10-12-2025
Sources: bbc.com: 1 | economist.com: 4 | edition.cnn.com: 1 | nytimes.com: 1 | theguardian.com: 1
Image for cluster 10
Image Prompt:

Protesters gathered outside the White House, holding signs that read "Fairness for All" and "Stop Rising Costs", documentary photography style, harsh midday sunlight casting long shadows, capturing frustration and concern on the faces of ordinary Americans, shot with a 50mm lens, conveying a sense of urgency and community discontent.

Summary

US President Donald Trump is facing criticism for his handling of the economy and foreign policy, with many Americans struggling with the cost of living and expressing concerns over his impulsive and incoherent approach to international relations. Despite Trump's claims of a booming economy, many citizens remain downbeat, citing job losses and rising grocery bills. His foreign policy strategy has also been criticized for being bleak and lacking a clear direction.

Key Points

  • Trump's economic message is at odds with the experiences of many Americans who are struggling with the cost of living.
  • Trump's foreign policy strategy is characterized as impulsive and lacking a clear direction, causing concern among allies and potentially emboldening despots.
  • Congress is unlikely to effectively restrain Trump's war powers due to the Constitution's allocation of war powers and historical precedent.
  • Trump's National Security Strategy has been criticized as bleak and incoherent, with a revival of the Monroe Doctrine causing confusion among America's neighbors.
  • Democrats, including Senator Bernie Sanders, have criticized Trump's handling of the economy and foreign policy.

Articles in this Cluster

Trump touts upbeat message on cost of living as Americans feel the pinch

US President Donald Trump is trying to reassure voters that the cost of living is improving, despite many Americans continuing to feel the pinch. At a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump claimed that consumer prices are falling 'tremendously' and that he has 'no higher priority than making America affordable again'. However, while gas and egg prices have decreased, other food prices remain high, and housing, childcare, and healthcare costs continue to be a burden. Democrats have capitalized on Trump's vulnerability on the economy, and many Republicans are uneasy about the upcoming midterm elections. Trump's approval rating has risen three points to 41% in a recent poll, but many Americans remain downbeat on the economy, citing job losses and rising grocery bills.
Entities: Donald Trump, Pennsylvania, United States, Democratic Party, Republican PartyTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Checks and Balance newsletter: Don’t count on Congress to restrain Donald Trump

The article discusses the Trump administration's military actions against alleged drug smugglers from Venezuela and the reluctance of Congress to restrain the president's war powers. The administration has carried out 22 strikes on boats, killing over 80 people, and is amassing forces in the Caribbean to potentially topple Venezuela's dictator, Nicolás Maduro. The article argues that Congress is unlikely to effectively restrain the president due to the Constitution's allocation of war powers and the historical precedent of presidents taking unilateral action. The author suggests that broad, organized opposition from Congress would be required to restrain the president, but this is unlikely given the current partisan dynamics.
Entities: Donald Trump, Congress, Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, United StatesTone: negativeSentiment: negativeIntent: analyze

Donald Trump’s bleak, incoherent foreign-policy strategy

The article discusses Donald Trump's National Security Strategy (NSS), criticizing it as bleak and incoherent. Trump's approach to foreign policy is characterized as impulsive and lacking a clear direction, causing concern among allies and potentially emboldening despots. The article references John Bolton's lament that Trump had no strategy during his first term, instead acting on impulse without thorough briefings. Trump's revival of the Monroe Doctrine is also highlighted as a point of confusion for America's neighbors.
Entities: Donald Trump, John Bolton, United States, National Security Strategy, Monroe DoctrineTone: negativeSentiment: negativeIntent: critique

The War Room newsletter: A truly radical document

The article discusses the War Room newsletter and its reflection on America's new security strategy, with a focus on Donald Trump's foreign-policy strategy and its implications. The newsletter highlights the radical nature of Trump's approach, which includes reviving the Monroe Doctrine and stretching America's war powers. The article also touches on the reactions of America's allies and adversaries to Trump's strategy, with some allies panicking and despots cheering. The overall tone is critical and analytical, with the author questioning the coherence and implications of Trump's foreign-policy decisions.
Entities: Donald Trump, America, The Economist, The War Room newsletter, Monroe DoctrineTone: analyticalSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

What will your child’s Trump Account be worth?

The article discusses how US President Donald Trump has adopted a policy similar to the 'Child Trust Fund' introduced by Tony Blair's government in the UK in the 2000s. The Child Trust Fund was a savings account for newborns that matured when they turned 18. Trump is considering a similar initiative, dubbed the 'Trump Account', which has sparked curiosity about its potential value.
Entities: Donald Trump, Tony Blair, Britain, United States, Monroe DoctrineTone: analyticalSentiment: neutralIntent: inform

Sen. Sanders: ‘God help us’ if Trump grades himself an ‘A+++++’ on economy | CNN PoliticsClose iconClose iconClose icon

Senator Bernie Sanders has criticized President Trump for giving himself an 'A+++++' grade on his handling of the economy, stating that it is concerning and that calling concerns over affordability a 'hoax' will backfire on the GOP. Sanders reacted to Trump's self-assessment in an interview with Kaitlan Collins on CNN.
Entities: Sen. Bernie Sanders, President Trump, Kaitlan Collins, CNN, GOPTone: negativeSentiment: negativeIntent: critique

Trump Says Americans Are Doing Great, Even as Views on the Economy Sour - The New York Times

President Trump delivered a speech in Pennsylvania, attempting to alleviate concerns about the cost of living, but instead focused on mocking the term 'affordability' and claiming Americans were doing better than ever. He used misleading statistics, blamed Biden for inflation, and attacked various groups, including transgender Americans and Representative Ilhan Omar. Trump's speech was met with applause from his supporters, but local residents expressed frustration with the rising costs and doubted Trump's claims. The article highlights the disconnect between Trump's message and the reality faced by many Americans.
Entities: Donald Trump, Pennsylvania, Mt. Pocono, U.S. Steel, Nippon SteelTone: negativeSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Trump speech on affordability ramps up bigotry and false statements – as it happened | US politics | The Guardian

The article discusses Donald Trump's speech in Pennsylvania, where he made false claims about job statistics and prices, and attacked Democratic congresswomen. The speech was part of a series of domestic appearances ahead of the 2026 midterms. Other key events included the US military's actions in Venezuela, the release of Ghislaine Maxwell's grand jury documents, and Miami's election of its first Democratic mayor in nearly 30 years.
Entities: Donald Trump, Pennsylvania, Ilhan Omar, Jasmine Crockett, VenezuelaTone: negativeSentiment: negativeIntent: inform