Post Event Takeaways

Planned chaos: The Trump administration’s commitment to bring about fundamental changes to the U.S. political sphere has quickly become evident. The administration’s favoured strategy of planned chaos, involving bold, unexpected claims, accusations and announcements intended to distract and confuse, can serve as effective negotiating tactics that force counterparts to the negotiating table. Examples from the first weeks of the new administration include radical tariff policy reform and inflammatory claims regarding Gaza, Greenland and the Panama Canal. 

Reshaping the U.S. government: Make no mistake: the newadministration plans to fundamentally restructure federal government by closing agencies and slashing budgets, appointing officials who align closely with the administration’s ideology to get the job done. Reducing the size and influence of what the administration believes to be an overextended bureaucracy will have long-term implications for the functioning and governance of multiple federal agencies.

Transformed domestic and foreign policies: Significant changes have already become evident in domestic and foreign policy, with policies targeting undocumented immigrants winning support beyond the administration’s traditional support base. The government’s opposition to DEI initiatives has quickly seen corporate America respond by scaling back its own DEI commitments, a retreat underscoring a growing trend for businesses to recalibrate their public and internal policies in alignment with the current political climate. On the international front, bold strategies on tariffs and abrupt overtures toward international territories appear to indicate newly aggressive policies that threaten to reshape America’s role on the global stage and its alliances, particularly with NATO and other international partnerships.

Energy strategy: While sensational headlines have understandably distracted attention, the new administration is likely to take a more nuanced line in its energy policy, with a public focus on the expansion of oil and gas production alongside continued efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources. The administration’s chief objective is to keep energy prices low in order to control inflation, a goal viewed as critical not only for consumer relief but also for reducing overall production costs across the economy.

Diminishing influence of traditional media: The Trump administration’s consistent discrediting of mainstream media outlets has significantly altered the media landscape. The media has traditionally been considered a neutral arbiter, yet now precariously finds itself viewed by large sections of the public as part of the opposition. Traditional media networks are struggling to maintain influence, while an erosion of trust has boosted news consumption from alternative sources, which are considerably more partisan, impacting the overall quality of public discourse.