“America First” Out, “Trump First” In
By James O’Brien - 14 July 2026
Donald Trump won the 2024 election on his America First platform, its main tenets being:
Many Americans believed in the America First platform: turns out Trump did not.
The War
Trump played to Americans’ war weariness (e.g., the 20-year Afghan war ended in 2021), pledging no more foreign forever wars. Of course, no foreign war begins with the intention of lasting forever; it runs on due to the lack of clear war objectives and exit strategies. Since January 2025, Trump launched eight military incursions, because he was enamored with the “shock and awe” of American military power. Through the Venezuelan campaign, Trump was lucky each incursion ended quickly.
Trump miscalculated with Iran. He launched this war relying on his “gut feelings.” Not once did Trump seek buy-in from our allies, Congress or the American people. Instead, after the sneak attack on February 28th, Trump demanded that allies and America obediently follow. When Iran survived the military onslaught, Trump proved to have no clear war objectives nor exit strategies.
Sadly, Trump approached the peace negotiations as haphazardly as the war itself, resulting in an interim settlement that looks more like a U.S. surrender. The parties may or may not conclude a final peace treaty. Like a tar baby, Trump may be unable to escape his own forever war.
The Economy
Prior to the 2024 election, Americans chafed under a 3.0% annual inflation rate and a 4.2% unemployment rate. During the campaign, Trump insisted he would easily lower prices “on Day 1,” and would increase U.S. jobs through aggressive tariffs.
Once elected, Trump reversed himself, announcing that lowering consumer prices would be difficult and taking no corrective action. Annual inflation rose to 4.2%.
Most economists opined that higher import duties would not create U.S. jobs. Trump rolled out baseline duties of 10% and much higher country-specific duties. Trump’s duties did not increase jobs, as unemployment stood at 4.3% in 2026.
Higher duties and the war only increased consumer prices.
Most galling, Trump has shown no empathy for ordinary Americans’ economic woes. He recently refused to sign bipartisan, affordable-housing legislation unless Congress first passes Trump’s voter-suppression bill. Clearly, Trump’s top priority is retaining political power in the upcoming elections, NOT addressing the country’s economic problems.
Trump First
Instead of delivering on his America First platform, Trump has pursued a near-maniacal drive to create monuments to himself (i.e., “Trump First”). These monuments include:
Trump’s narcissism should offend every American. We must put the nation first, enforce the Constitutional checks and balances on presidential authority, and ultimately end Trump’s disastrous reign.
James O’Brien,
Eden
By James O’Brien - 14 July 2026
Donald Trump won the 2024 election on his America First platform, its main tenets being:
- No more forever wars.
- A strong economy.
Many Americans believed in the America First platform: turns out Trump did not.
The War
Trump played to Americans’ war weariness (e.g., the 20-year Afghan war ended in 2021), pledging no more foreign forever wars. Of course, no foreign war begins with the intention of lasting forever; it runs on due to the lack of clear war objectives and exit strategies. Since January 2025, Trump launched eight military incursions, because he was enamored with the “shock and awe” of American military power. Through the Venezuelan campaign, Trump was lucky each incursion ended quickly.
Trump miscalculated with Iran. He launched this war relying on his “gut feelings.” Not once did Trump seek buy-in from our allies, Congress or the American people. Instead, after the sneak attack on February 28th, Trump demanded that allies and America obediently follow. When Iran survived the military onslaught, Trump proved to have no clear war objectives nor exit strategies.
Sadly, Trump approached the peace negotiations as haphazardly as the war itself, resulting in an interim settlement that looks more like a U.S. surrender. The parties may or may not conclude a final peace treaty. Like a tar baby, Trump may be unable to escape his own forever war.
The Economy
Prior to the 2024 election, Americans chafed under a 3.0% annual inflation rate and a 4.2% unemployment rate. During the campaign, Trump insisted he would easily lower prices “on Day 1,” and would increase U.S. jobs through aggressive tariffs.
Once elected, Trump reversed himself, announcing that lowering consumer prices would be difficult and taking no corrective action. Annual inflation rose to 4.2%.
Most economists opined that higher import duties would not create U.S. jobs. Trump rolled out baseline duties of 10% and much higher country-specific duties. Trump’s duties did not increase jobs, as unemployment stood at 4.3% in 2026.
Higher duties and the war only increased consumer prices.
Most galling, Trump has shown no empathy for ordinary Americans’ economic woes. He recently refused to sign bipartisan, affordable-housing legislation unless Congress first passes Trump’s voter-suppression bill. Clearly, Trump’s top priority is retaining political power in the upcoming elections, NOT addressing the country’s economic problems.
Trump First
Instead of delivering on his America First platform, Trump has pursued a near-maniacal drive to create monuments to himself (i.e., “Trump First”). These monuments include:
- Co-branding the Kennedy Performing Arts Center;
- Demolishing the East Wing of the White House to build an ostentatious, Guilded-Age ballroom;
- Imprinting Trump’s face on U.S. currency and passports;
- Politicking for a Nobel Peace Prize;
- Designing an over-sized triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery; and
- Hijacking the nation’s 250th anniversary to celebrate his 80th birthday and stage a partisan rally.
Trump’s narcissism should offend every American. We must put the nation first, enforce the Constitutional checks and balances on presidential authority, and ultimately end Trump’s disastrous reign.
James O’Brien,
Eden