It’s been six months since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January as the 47th president. His second term has already brought major changes to US domestic and foreign policy. From sweeping tax reforms and economic growth to tough border measures and bold international deals, here’s a rundown of what the US president claims to have done so far.Economy and jobsCongress passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” delivering the largest tax cut in US history and increasing some Americans’ take-home pay by up to $13,300, while cutting off benefits for over 1.4 million undocumented immigrants. Another major package is aimed at saving taxpayers $9 billion by cutting what the administration described as unnecessary and politically driven spending on certain foreign aid programmes and publicly funded media outlets like NPR and PBS.Meanwhile, the economy has added 671,000 jobs since January 2025. All new jobs have reportedly gone to native-born Americans, while employment among foreign-born workers has declined. Blue-collar wage growth hit its fastest pace in nearly 60 years, and companies and foreign governments have pledged $7.6 trillion in new investments into the US. Inflation has remained low, with core inflation tracking at just 2.1%, the same level seen during Trump’s first term. Prices of essentials like eggs and fuel have fallen significantly. Wholesale egg prices are down by more than half since the start of the year, and summer petrol prices are at their lowest, in real terms, in nearly two decades.Gas and oil drilling permits have surged after Trump declared an “energy emergency,” with approval rates now 44% higher than under the previous administration, as per a release by the White House. Deregulation efforts are said to have saved Americans over $180 billion so far, with billions more expected in savings from loosened car-related rules.Border and immigration measuresThe Trump administration has taken a strict stance on immigration. In June, the number of illegal border crossings hit a record low at just 6,070. No migrants were released into the US on parole that month, compared to over 27,000 in June last year. Deportations have ramped up, setting a new record for monthly flights.The self-deportation campaign has seen results, and over 600 suspected terrorists have reportedly been removed. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has also arrested more than 100,000 undocumented criminals, including thousands linked to violent gangs like Tren de Aragua, as per the White House statement.A February executive order now blocks undocumented immigrants from receiving taxpayer-funded benefits. The White House claims this has protected more than $40 billion in public funds.Foreign policy and global tradeTrump has met with 23 world leaders in six months, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (three times) and the NATO Secretary General (twice). The release also claimed that he secured a breakthrough NATO deal where members agreed to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP, something long considered unlikely. Trump signed a major military support deal for Ukraine, with NATO paying the costs.In trade, Trump struck new agreements with the UK, China, Indonesia and Ukraine, including a $14 billion “Golden Share” sale of US Steel and a major minerals deal. US tariffs brought in $90 billion this year, with a record surplus of $27.2 billion in June, the first June surplus since 2005.Social policyPresident Trump has signed over 170 executive orders. These include bans on gender-affirming care for minors, removing transgender women from women’s sports, ending federal DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programmes, and stopping federal censorship and school indoctrination.As a result, several major hospitals have stopped gender-related procedures for children, and schools across the country, including major universities, have barred biological males from competing in women’s sports.Efforts to “Make America Healthy Again” have also picked up pace. About 35% of the US food industry, including major names like Hershey and big ice cream brands, have pledged to stop using artificial dyes in their products.
