Episode 27 – Surviving Trump: The First 100 Days - The Left Strikes Back

Episode Summary:
In Part Three of our four-part series on Donald Trump’s first 100 days of his second term, we’re shifting perspectives to examine how anti-Trump voices are responding to his chaotic and controversial return to power. For Trump’s critics — from journalists and activists to everyday Americans — these 100 days are not just a rocky start but a dangerous turning point. From executive overreach to economic fallout, from mass deportations to media crackdowns, we explore why so many believe the country is on the edge of authoritarianism.

In This Episode:

• What Anti-Trump Voices Are Saying: Why critics see Trump’s first 100 days as a calculated attempt to consolidate power, not govern responsibly.
• Consequences of Trump’s First 100 Days: How his policies are driving up prices, destabilizing markets, and stoking international tensions.
• Understanding Trump and His Base: Why traditional persuasion tactics fail with Trump’s loyalists — and what critics are focusing on instead.
• When Cruelty Is the Point: How human rights abuses, political retribution, and attacks on civil liberties are being weaponized as policy.
• Polling Data: How public opinion is shifting — and what it says about Trump’s approval, economic concerns, and public sentiment.

Why It Matters:
Trump’s first 100 days have been defined by executive overreach, legal overreach, and authoritarian drift — and the consequences are mounting. Critics argue that Trump isn’t governing to restore stability; he’s using power to punish enemies, reward allies, and reshape democracy in his image. From rising prices and economic insecurity to mass deportations and attacks on the press, the opposition believes the stakes have never been higher. Understanding their perspective isn’t just about opposing Trump — it’s about recognizing the systemic threats to democracy that are unfolding in real time.

Next Episode:
In Episode 28, we’ll dive into the Democrats’ battle plan for the next 100 days. How do they intend to counter Trump’s power grabs, protect vulnerable communities, and rally voters before the 2026 midterms? We’ll outline a roadmap for political resistance, spotlight the rising stars leading the charge, and explore what it will take to restore democratic norms and accountability.

Transcript

Bella Goode  00:04

Hi everyone. This is Bella Goode and you're listening to Surviving Trump. Today's episode is part three in our four part series on the first 100 Days of Trump's second term. But now we shift perspectives. Now we're talking about the anti Trumpers, the critics, the watchdogs, the journalists, the Democrats and all the other voters and the everyday Americans who believe that these 100 days have marked a dangerous unraveling of democracy. 

Bella Goode  00:34

This episode is about how the opposition sees the first stretch of Trump's return to power, not as fulfillment, but really as a fallout. From executive overreach to political chaos, from Project 2025 to cultural warfare,we look at why so many believe the country is not on the path to recovery, but it's on the edge of authoritarianism. Let's take a hard look at the other side of the mirror. The critics of Donald Trump's second term return are painting a grim portrait of his first 100 Days, an administration defined by executive overreach, institutional damage and a calculated erosion of democratic norms. It's not a rocky start, it's a disaster. Polls reflect this growing alarm, Trump's approval rating hovers around 40% with disapproval surging amongst independents, women and Hispanic voters, a full 45% of Americans give him an F for his performance, including nearly half of independent voters. 

Bella Goode  01:39

These numbers aren't outliers, they're part of a pattern. Across mainstream and independent outlets, experts describe a presidency marked by chaos, cruelty and a relentless drive to consolidate power. Nearly 140 executive orders have been issued, an avalanche of directives that rival FDRs output during the New Deal, but where Roosevelt expanded the government to protect the vulnerable, Trump's orders are being used to dismantle protections, punish opponents, and centralize control. Whole federal departments have been hollowed out. Over 100,000 civil servants have been forced out or reassigned. The Department of government efficiency, run by Musk, has replaced oversight with ideology, outsourcing critical decisions to private goons or actors, whatever you want to call them, with political loyalties. 

Bella Goode  02:35

Legal experts warn that this is no longer standard political hardball. Trump is sidestepping Congress, he's ignoring court rulings, and he's pushing agencies beyond their statutory authority. The Department of Justice has launched politically motivated investigations Inspector Generals have been muzzled,whistleblowers are being purged, and one legal analyst called it a blueprint for an authoritarian drift. Trump's immigration policies has moved from rhetoric to repression. His administration has fast tracked deportations, bypassing the legal process and due diligence in multiple instances, children, including US citizens, have been swept up in raids and separated from their families. Human Rights Organizations are calling it a humanitarian crisis. When courts intervened, Trump publicly attacked judges, threatened retribution and sought to strip legal protections from migrants. This is not border enforcement, it's state directed punishment. 

Bella Goode  03:41

And then there's the economy, Trump's tariffs rolled out with no clear strategy, have sparked trade wars and spooked global markets. GDP, gross domestic product has contracted. The stock market has plunged. Consumer prices are up. Businesses report widespread uncertainty and household budgets are tightening. Unions warn that working class Americans, the very people that Trump claims to champion, are bearing the brunt of the fallout. Economists warn that the financial impact of Trump's economic policies could be severe and long lasting, with tariffs driving up prices, jobs being cut, and wages stagnating, working and middle class families could see their financial stability erode over time. The cumulative effect isn't just felt in higher grocery bills or increased mortgage payments. It's a broader decline in economic security that could stretch across years, impacting savings, retirement plans and the ability to weather future financial shocks. 

Bella Goode  04:45

Meanwhile, the administration is cracking down on dissent. University students have been targeted for their speech. Visas have been revoked. Peaceful protesters have faced surveillance, arrests and intimidation, some deportations appear to be politically motivated. Civil liberties groups say that this is a direct attack on free expression and academic freedom. The message is clear, loyalty is rewarded and the opposition is punished. 

Bella Goode  05:15

Throughout all of this, Trump has continued to mislead. He claimed record successes on inflation, job creation and national security, none of which have been substantiated by independent data. He insists he is restoring law and order while undermining the legal institutions responsible for maintaining it. Even basic government statistics have been quietly altered or withheld. Critics say that these 100 Days have revealed the true nature of Trump's second term agenda. It's not reform, it's retribution, a sweeping effort to reshape the government in his image, with few safeguards, few facts and fewer dissenting voices, the cruelty is not incidental. It's central. 

Bella Goode  06:03

But these Trump critics also note that the system is not rolling over. Courts are blocking unlawful actions. State and local governments are resisting implementation. Civil Servants are fighting back even within Trump's own party, discomfort is growing as the real world costs of these policies become clear. Trump's first 100 days have deepened America's divide, damaged its credibility abroad, and shaken the foundations of its democratic institutions. But they've also exposed Trump's vulnerabilities, legal overreach, bureaucratic dysfunction and falling public support. What happens next may depend less on Trump and more on how effectively the opposition rises to meet the moment. 

Bella Goode  06:50

The first 100 Days of Donald Trump's second term have already left a measurable impact on the economy, on American institutions and on global alliances. Critics warn that the short term damage is significant, and the long term consequences may be even more dangerous. In the short term, the harm is already visible. Trump's sweeping tariffs have driven up the cost of imported goods. Consumer prices have risen by an estimated 2.5% hitting working class, middle class households, the hardest. Business investment is slowing. Confidence is down. According to new data, the US GDP shrank by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025. Economists say that the risk of a full blown recession is growing and the markets are rattled. Major indices have dropped sharply since the tariffs were announced, wiping out trillions in shareholder value. 

Bella Goode  07:49

But the damage isn't limited to economics. Policy whiplash is undermining confidence across the board. Trump's sudden moves on immigration, on agency, authority on trade have created chaos for businesses, educators, hospitals and government workers. Decisions are reversed overnight, legal norms are ignored, contracts are voided. Long term planning has become nearly impossible in a landscape where rules shift by executive fiat and late night, X posts or truth social posts. Internationally, America's credibility has suffered. Allies say that the US is no longer a reliable partner. Key relationships in Europe and Asia are fraying. Trade alliances are being renegotiated without US participation. In global forums, American diplomats find themselves isolated or openly challenged. For decades, the US led the liberal international order. Now under Trump, it's retreating from that role, and others are rushing to fill that void. 

Bella Goode  08:55

At home, polarization is deepening, aggressive deportations, federal layoffs, attacks on universities and public servants. These actions are fueling protests and lawsuits across the country. Civil rights groups describe a climate of fear. Legal watchdogs are documenting constitutional violations. The courts have stepped in to block multiple actions, but the sense of institutional instability, it's growing. Long term, the risks are even more profound. Trump's economic policies are poised to weaken the broader economy and undercut household stability. With higher costs, stagnant wages and shrinking job prospects working and middle class families are bracing for financial strain that could last well beyond Trump's presidency. 

Bella Goode  09:46

Economists say that the fallout could mirror the impact of a severe economic downturn, with families facing long term setbacks in savings, home ownership and financial security. There's also concern. About rising inequality. Trump's government downsizing favors large corporations and wealthy allies, while small businesses and everyday workers are left more exposed. Antitrust enforcement has slowed, regulatory oversight has been gutted, and major government contracts are going to firms with political connections. Critics call this a recipe for crony capitalism, a system where power and privilege determine outcomes. 

Bella Goode  10:29

And then there's the cost to democracy. Trump's attacks on press, the judiciary and even science agencies aren't isolated incidents. They're part of a broader pattern of executive dominance. Legal scholars warn that these actions are weakening checks and balances and eroding the very institutions that keep democracy functioning. If left unchecked, this trend could make future abuses easier and harder to reverse on the world stage. 

The long term, damage may be even harder to fix America's reputation as a leader in science, innovation, human rights and higher education has taken a hit. International students are going elsewhere. Global Investors are hedging against us, volatility, soft power, the influence built, not through force, but by trust and example, is fading. So the first 100 Days of Trump's presidency have triggered an immediate backlash, economic contraction, legal fights and social unrest, but the long term trajectory points to an even deeper problem, slowed growth, weakened institutions and diminished US influence. The harm isn't theoretical, because it's already underway. The resistance is growing, but so is the damage. 

Bella Goode  11:47

So the critics of Donald Trump aren't confused by what they're seeing. Most anti Trumpers, whether they're progressive activists, legal scholars Never Trump conservatives or institutional watchdogs have spent years studying not only Trump's behavior but the ecosystem that enables him. They don't see a man guided by ideology or public service. They see a figure driven by personal power, emotional need and the desire to punish enemies and glorify himself. 

The pattern has been consistent from the earliest days of his presidency to his post election sabotage in 2020, and now through his first 100 Days of term two, Trump's motivations haven't evolved, they've intensified. Analysts widely agree that Trump is propelled by grievance and obsessed with control. He craves adoration, he lashes out at criticism, and he shows little interest in policy outcomes unless they elevate his status, or if they damage his opponents. His leadership is transactional and performative. Anti Trump voices argue that he doesn't flip flop because he's unpredictable. He does it because the details don't matter. What matters is how something plays to its base and whether it reinforces the image he wants to project, a strong man, President above the law, feared by enemies and celebrated by loyalists. 

Bella Goode  13:15

Many critics describe Trump's inner circle not as a governing team, but is a cast of loyal enablers, some cynical, some fearful, many seeking personal advancement, from members of his cabinet to congressional Republicans to his sprawling web of influencers. The common thread is loyalty, not qualification. Those who question him are pushed aside. Those who flatter him are promoted regardless of competence or illegality. Even longtime conservatives say that this isn't a party anymore. It's a personality called built on fear, conspiracy and loyalty tests. Anti Trumpers also understand his base. They aren't naive about the psychology behind Trumpism. 

This isn't a simple story of economic anxiety or cultural resentment. Commentators have pointed to a deeper dynamic, a tribal identity forged in opposition Trump's appeal isn't about policy wins. It's about the performance of domination. For his most loyal supporters, policy isn't about solving problems, it's about fighting enemies, and when cruelty is aimed at those enemies, immigrants, protesters, journalists or judges, it becomes a source of pride, not shame. This is why traditional tools of persuasion don't work. It's not about evidence. It is about allegiance. Trumpism is sustained by mass psychology that thrives on chaos and conflict. 

Bella Goode  14:49

For critics trying to combat it, the question isn't, "how do we convince them he is wrong?", but rather, how do we dismantle the structures that allow this to keep going? So. Some anti Trump activists and strategists are shifting their focus from trying to change Trump supporters minds to targeting the systems and the institutions that keep Trump in power. They're using a framework known as pillars of support, which identifies the specific sectors that prop up authoritarian leaders. These pillars can include labor unions, media networks, corporate power, religious institutions, law enforcement and even government agencies. Instead of trying to convince Trump loyalists to abandon him, these activists are working to weaken the pillars. 

For example, they're mobilizing unions to expose and resist corporations that are profiting from Trump's labor policies. They're creating alternative media channels like Axios and Midas touch to counter mainstream media outlets that have enabled Trump's messaging. And they're using legal challenges and public pressure to hold law enforcement agencies accountable when they enforce Trump's executive orders in ways that violate civil rights. In other words, it's not about changing minds. It's about dismantling the structural support that allows Trump to wield power unchecked. 

Bella Goode  16:16

The Resistance isn't in the dark. They, we, have seen this before. They've studied the authoritarian book playbook. They know that Trump is using executive action to bypass Congress. He's using it to flood the zone with chaos and to reshape the government into a tool of loyalty and punishment. And while the damage is real, the limits are also showing. His mass deportation orders have triggered legal backlash. His government downsizing has been slowed by lawsuits and public sector resistance. His popularity is slipping with key swing voters. In other words, anti Trumpers aren't- well, how else to say this? They aren't deer in the headlights. They see the road ahead and they see the wreckage. They understand the machine that's driving it. For many anti Trumpers, the most defining outcome of his return to power isn't chaos or corruption, it's cruelty, cruelty as a policy tool, cruelty as a political weapon, and, most disturbingly, cruelty as a public spectacle. 

Bella Goode  17:22

Human rights groups like Amnesty International have declared Trump's first 100 days a human rights emergency, and it's not hard to see why. Deportation raids have intensified, civil liberties are under siege, and entire communities are being targeted with chilling precision. These aren't policy disagreements. These are actions that inflict real, lasting harm on human beings, deliberately and unapologetically. Take Kilmar Abrego Garcia a long time, Maryland resident with deep community ties and legal protection from deportation. 

In March, 2025 Trump's DHS agents pulled him from his home and sent him to El Salvador, defying a federal court order and ignoring credible threats to his safety. Once there, he was imprisoned in one of the most dangerous facilities in the region. His US citizen family was left behind, terrified, outraged and ignored, even after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of His return, the administration resisted. Officials publicly smeared him, framed him as a threat and dragged their feet. They even posted Photoshopped images proving his gang affiliation, which was clearly false. It was not a mistake, it was a message. 

Bella Goode  18:47

And immigration is only one front of this campaign of harm. Peaceful protests, especially on college campuses, have been met with surveillance, arrests and ICE threats, international students who have joined pro Palestinian demonstrations have been detained or have had their visas revoked. Free speech, critics say is being criminalized for those on the wrong side of the debate. And the press has become a punching bag. Media outlets critical of the administration face lawsuits, pulled licenses and threats of funding cuts. 

Global Press Freedom programs have been gutted. Regulatory agencies are being used to harass and punish dissenting voices. What was once called a war on the media is now a systematic effort to silence it. Women's rights and LGBTQ protections have also been rolled back. Transgender Health Care guidance has been withdrawn. Executive orders have undercut protections for queer students and workers. Federal grants for Reproductive Health have been slashed or redirected to anti abortion groups. These aren't small adjustments. Because they are deletions deliberate and ideological. 

Bella Goode  20:04

Even public health hasn't been spared. In the middle of a measles outbreak, Trump appointed a well known vaccine skeptic to lead a major health agency. Scientific guidelines were rewritten, disease tracking systems were defunded, experts resigned all the while the administration touted government efficiency through Doge. Anti Trump critics are now asking the hard questions, what kind of person governs like this? What kind of leader brags about deportation, mocks protesters and strips rights with a smile, the common diagnosis; a man without empathy, someone driven by dominance, not duty, revenge, not responsibility. Trump doesn't tolerate harm, they argue, he seeks it out, especially when it can be used to divide, distract or delight his base. 

That leads to the next uncomfortable question, what about the people who cheer this on, the MAGAs? Critics say that cruelty has become a kind of cultural glue amongst Trump loyalists, a shared experience that reinforces identity through exclusion and punishment, when immigrants are jailed, when journalists are silenced, when vulnerable people are humiliated, some of his supporters feel emboldened, not embarrassed. It becomes a bonding ritual. We win, they lose. For anti Trumpers, this realization is emotionally devastating. Many describe the daily experience of living under this administration as surreal and painful, watching basic decency erode while cruelty is rewarded with applause. The harm is real, the pain is real, and so is the disbelief that so many Americans are okay with it. 

Bella Goode  21:55

As one civil rights advocate put it, this isn't policy failure. This is the normalization of harm, and watching it unfold, not just in the headlines, but in our communities. It's a kind of trauma. There's no confusion here. Anti Trumpers see the cruelty for what it is, intentional, coordinated and celebrated. And they are angry. We are angry, we are grieving, and we are taking note not just of Trump, but of every institution and individual that enables him. If Donald Trump was expecting applause at the 100 day mark, the numbers suggest something very different. Polls show broad disapproval, growing frustration and rising fear across party lines, Trump's overall approval rating stands at between 39% and 42% the lowest for any president at this point in office in 80 years of modern polling. 

Bella Goode  22:52

Disapproval is up to 55% now that's not a blip, it's a flashing yellow light. These ratings aren't driven by vague vibes. They're based on real reactions to real policies, on the economy, on immigration, on foreign affairs and executive overreach. Most Americans disapprove of how Trump is handling things. 72% believe that his economic policies are likely to trigger a recession. 53% say the economy has worsened since he took office. About half of all respondents say his presidency has negatively impacted their lives. That's a very big number. A majority believe that he's moving too fast, rushing through sweeping changes, without regard for the fallout. Even on issues where Trump once claimed strength like economic management, polls show a slipping confidence. His tariffs have driven up prices and disrupted global trade, and the public sees it. Families are paying more at the grocery store, businesses are cutting back or laying off. Markets remain volatile. The promises aren't translating into relief. 

Bella Goode  24:01

Meanwhile, support for some of Trump's more controversial tactics, mass deportations, political loyalty tests, government downsizing remains low, especially amongst independents and younger voters. Public sentiment reveals a deep skepticism of Trump's goals and growing concern about the damage that he's already done. While there are some who may try to spin this moment as early turbulence, the polling data points to something deeper, a growing belief that Trump's second term is unstable, unpopular, and increasingly out of step with the country's needs. I think that's an understatement. 

Bella Goode  24:40

And while polling doesn't always capture the full complexity of political life, it aligns with the on ground developments. Trump's much publicized deportation blitz has led to international legal conflicts and domestic lawsuits. His department of government efficiency, otherwise known as DOGE, is facing logistical failure and backlash from both courts and the public sector, even his tariff driven economic plan has sparked warnings from conservative economists. Taken together, the data confirms what many Americans already feel in their daily lives, higher prices, lost jobs and a country more divided and more unstable than it was 100 days ago. 

Bella Goode  25:22

So as we mark the first 100 days of Trump's second term, one thing is clear, America is at an inflection point. The stakes are enormous. The damage is mounting, but the opposition that being us, we're not asleep. This episode has explored the scope and scale of Trump's actions, the public reaction and the seeds of resistance already starting to take root. The next question is, what comes next? And how anti Trump forces can turn outrage into strategy and strategy into victory. 

Bella Goode  25:57

In episode 27 we'll dive into the Democrats plan that is, from my perspective, is there a strategy for winning the next 100 days leading up to the midterm elections? What can we do differently? Who are the rising stars that we can latch on to for hope and guidance? If Trump's mission is to dismantle the system, then the mission now is to seize the power to rebuild it stronger, fairer and more resilient than ever. Well, I'm calling it a day. So thanks for listening to Surviving Trump. Stay informed, stay engaged and keep fighting for our rights. This is Bella Goode, signing off.