Will Trump's first term Presidency make its mark on history?

You could probably characterise the last four years as one of the most unconventional and melodramatic terms of any Presidency. An outsider not from the exclusive club of Capitol Hill, managing to successfully win his way to an election victory over an opponent, who not only had almost a billion dollars worth of funds backing her, but also the media supporting her cause. This turned into a movement where everyday Americans and members of the forgotten middle class wore their red hats and collectively chanted Make America Great Again.

It would be the appropriate response for anybody not in agreeance, to try and understand why it is these Americans feel this way - why have they lost confidence in the people elected to represent them. Instead, they were vilified by some of these elected members, as 'deplorable','racist' and needing to be 'deprogrammed'. With the mainstream media pushing this narrative, viewership and trust in the media began a downward spiral.

The 45th President was interested in working for the people - which is supposed to be the goal of an elected representative. America experienced a roaring economy pre-pandemic, with record low levels of unemployment nationally. The USMCA made the distribution of goods to be cost-efficient, and the dismantling of meaningless regulations enabled Americans to start a business with relative ease. 2019 was a historic year for raising Americans’ living standards. Real median household income reached a record high, and poverty reached a record low. Improvements in income and poverty were the largest in over 50 years. Minority groups—including black, Hispanic and Asian Americans—experienced the largest gains.

Real median household income increased by $4,400 in 2019, reaching an all-time record high of $68,700. This represents a 6.8% one-year increase, which is the largest one-year increase in median income on record. Since 2016, real median household income increased by 9.7%.

Income gains in 2019 were largest for minority groups. Real median income grew by 7.9% for black Americans, 7.1% for Hispanic Americans, and 10.6% for Asian Americans. These one-year increases were all record highs, and the new income levels reached in 2019 were all record highs, as well. (Sources: USA Today, Reuters, Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Brookings, Census Bureau).

We are now faced with the after-effects of a ravaging pandemic from 2020. A vaccine has been developed in record time, and the rollout has commenced. Will the new Administration be able to continue the rollout efficiently? Will the states be able to forgo their political games and open up their restaurants and shops?

One of Trump's final moments as President was issuing Presidential pardons. Amongst the notable recipients, one or two of the most-talked about individuals were missing - and thought to have been in the running for a pardon - Julian Assange and Edward Snowden. To some, it would be surprising that a pardon was not issued for Assange ( i am sure Mrs Clinton breathed a sigh of relief). It would be likely that those closest to President Trump would have advised him to not issue a pardon - especially with an impeachment trial looming in the Senate, and Mitch McConnell's disdain for the mere thought of pardoning Assange. There might have been wide ranging implications if Trump pardoned Assange or Snowden. Conviction in the Senate could be one, and/or a targeted more brutal campaign against the Trump family.

Being attacked so viciously every day for five years, you would think something with such brutal effect such as a potential Assange pardon would've been his icing on the cake in 'sticking it' to those in the Washington establishment - but the aftershock may prove a too greater challenge. This is now a time for deep reflection for the now Former President - and for him to go through a period of immense grief, before there is any talk of future aspirations.

One thing is for certain though, do not expect him to go away quietly for long.