10 Worst Things About The Trump Presidency | Robert Reich

Summary

This video script lists a litany of criticisms against former President Donald Trump, detailing his divisive policies, alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic decisions, and controversial actions such as the separation of children at the border and impeachments. It also addresses his relationships with foreign entities, environmental rollbacks, and alleged dishonesty, urging viewers not to forget the impact of his presidency on the United States.

Takeaways

• 🔥 Trump's presidency was marked by division and a surge in hate crimes, leading to a record increase in homicides in 2020.
• 🔫 Under Trump, gun sales hit an all-time high, with the administration taking no action to restrict firearms.
• 🏛 Trump's tenure saw over 1,700 mass shootings, reflecting a significant issue with gun violence in the U.S.
• 🤬 Trump made controversial statements, including defending some participants in the Charlottesville neo-Nazi rally.
• 🛡 He aligned himself with extremist groups like the Proud Boys, which played a role in the January 6th Capitol insurrection.
• 🚫 Trump's judicial appointments led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, impacting abortion rights for many American women.
• 🏢 Trump was accused of multiple felonies, including false business filings committed while in office.
• 😷 His administration's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic is estimated to have caused hundreds of thousands of unnecessary deaths.
• 💸 Trump's economic policies resulted in a net loss of 2.9 million jobs, the worst record for any U.S. president.
• 🏦 He also profited from his presidency, earning an estimated $160 million from foreign countries during his term.
• 🚫 Trump's presidency was marred by numerous controversies, including two impeachments and allegations of election interference.

Q & A

What was the context of the statement 'Trump fueled division and sparked a record uptick in hate crimes'?

The statement suggests that during Donald Trump's presidency, there was an increase in societal division and hate crimes, implying a correlation between his leadership and these social issues.

Why was there a significant increase in homicides in 2020 during Trump's presidency?

The increase in homicides in 2020 was attributed to multiple factors, with one significant contributor being the record-breaking gun sales, which were not restricted despite the surge.

How did Trump's stance on gun control contribute to the issues mentioned in the script?

Trump's stance on gun control was characterized by his inaction to restrict gun sales, which the script suggests was a contributing factor to the increase in homicides and mass shootings.

What was Trump's response to the Charlottesville incident, and how is it viewed in the context of the script?

Trump's response to the Charlottesville incident was controversial; he stated there were 'very fine people on both sides,' which the script interprets as an alliance with neo-Nazis and a failure to condemn white supremacy.

How did Trump's judicial appointments impact abortion rights in the United States?

Trump's judicial appointments are said to have led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, resulting in abortion bans in several states and affecting the reproductive rights of a significant portion of American women.

What was the controversy surrounding Brett Kavanaugh's appointment to the Supreme Court?

Brett Kavanaugh was accused of sexual assault by multiple women, and the script suggests that Trump's White House interfered with the FBI investigation into these allegations.

How did Trump's business practices while in office lead to legal consequences?

Trump was convicted of 34 felonies related to criminally false business filings in New York, all of which occurred while he was president.

What was Trump's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how did it impact the United States?

Trump's response to the pandemic was criticized for being inadequate, leading to a high number of deaths. He disbanded the pandemic response team, discarded the playbook from the Obama administration, and made misleading statements about the virus.

How did Trump's presidency affect the economy and employment in the United States?

Under Trump's presidency, there was a net loss of 2.9 million American jobs, marking the worst recorded job numbers of any president in U.S. history.

What was the impact of Trump's policies on immigration, particularly regarding the separation of children from their parents at the border?

Trump's policies led to the separation of over 5,000 children from their parents at the border, with no plan for reunification, a practice that was widely criticized for its inhumanity.

How did Trump's actions and statements contribute to the January 6th Capitol attack?

The script suggests that Trump's rhetoric and actions, including his alliance with the Proud Boys and his encouragement of a mob to the Capitol, contributed to the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6th.

Outlines

00:00

🔥 Trump's Presidency Critiqued

The paragraph outlines the criticisms of Donald Trump's presidency, highlighting 15 negative aspects. It mentions his role in fueling division and a rise in hate crimes, a significant increase in homicides and gun sales, and over 1,700 mass shootings. Trump is also criticized for his comments on neo-Nazis in Charlottesville, his association with the Proud Boys, and the impact of his judicial appointments on abortion rights. The paragraph also covers his interference in the FBI's investigation of Brett Kavanaugh, his conviction of 34 felonies while in office, and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a high number of deaths. The critique concludes with Trump's promotion of unproven COVID-19 treatments and his economic impact, including job losses and profiting from the presidency.

05:03

🚫 Trump's Controversial Policies and Actions

This paragraph continues the critique of Trump's presidency, focusing on immigration policies like family separations at the border and the Muslim ban. It discusses Trump's controversial actions in the Middle East, including moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing Israel's occupation of the Golan Heights. The paragraph also covers his impeachments, the first for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, and the second for incitement of insurrection. It details Trump's attempts to influence the 2020 election, his false claims of a rigged election, and his pressure on state leaders to falsify results. The paragraph concludes with Trump's encouragement of foreign interference in U.S. elections and his role in the events leading up to the January 6th Capitol attack.

10:04

🏛️ Trump's Impact on National Security and Governance

The paragraph delves into Trump's relationship with Russia, his denial of Russian interference in the 2016 election, and his alleged obstruction of justice regarding the investigation into Michael Flynn. It mentions Trump's attempts to shut down the Mueller investigation and his handling of classified documents post-presidency. The paragraph also covers the convictions of several Trump associates and the president's claims of hiring 'the best people,' which contrasts with the criminal activities of those same individuals. Trump's economic policies are criticized for not delivering on promises, and his administration's actions against workers' rights and environmental protections are highlighted. The paragraph concludes with Trump's unconstitutional suggestions of serving more than two terms and his derogatory comments about certain countries.

15:05

🌍 Trump's Environmental and Social Policies

This paragraph addresses Trump's environmental policies, including withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement and rolling back over 100 environmental protections. It criticizes his budget proposals for including cuts to Social Security and Medicare and his failed attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which could have left millions uninsured. The paragraph also discusses Trump's impact on healthcare, including making it easier for employers to drop birth control coverage and his frequent lying while in office. It touches on his handling of natural disasters, such as Hurricane Maria and California wildfires, and his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. The paragraph concludes with a mention of Trump's unconventional interactions with foreign leaders and his overall negative impact on the nation, urging against forgetting these events and against re-electing him.

Keywords

💡Division

Division, in the context of the video, refers to the social and political discord that was exacerbated during Donald Trump's presidency. The script mentions that Trump 'fueled division' and this is exemplified by the increase in hate crimes and the polarization of American society. The term is crucial as it sets the tone for understanding the negative social impact attributed to his tenure.

💡Hate Crimes

Hate crimes are criminal acts motivated by prejudice against a particular group, typically based on race, religion, or ethnicity. The video script points out a 'record uptick in hate crimes' during Trump's presidency, suggesting a correlation between his divisive rhetoric and an increase in such incidents. This keyword is significant as it underscores the social unrest and the impact of political leadership on societal behavior.

💡Gun Sales

Gun sales refer to the purchase and trade of firearms. The script notes that 'gun sales broke records under Trump,' who was known for his opposition to gun control measures. This keyword is relevant as it ties into the broader discussion about gun violence and the administration's policy stance, which some argue contributed to the increase in homicides.

💡Mass Shootings

Mass shootings are incidents involving multiple victims of firearm-related violence. The video claims that 'America suffered more than 1,700 mass shootings' during Trump's term, highlighting the prevalence of gun violence. This keyword is central to the discussion on public safety and the effectiveness of the administration's response to gun-related crimes.

💡Proud Boys

The Proud Boys is a far-right organization known for their involvement in political violence. The script mentions Trump's alliance with the 'Proud Boys,' a group implicated in the January 6th Capitol attack. This keyword is significant as it ties into the broader narrative of political extremism and its role in recent American history.

💡Roe v. Wade

Roe v. Wade is a landmark Supreme Court case that established a woman's legal right to have an abortion. The video script states that 'I got rid of Roe v. Wade' due to Trump's judicial appointments, reflecting the impact of his administration on women's reproductive rights. This keyword is pivotal as it represents a major policy shift with far-reaching consequences for American society.

💡Impeachment

Impeachment is the process by which a legislative body levels charges against a government official. The script recounts Trump's impeachments, emphasizing his alleged misconduct in office. This keyword is integral to understanding the legal challenges and the checks and balances within the U.S. political system.

💡Pandemic Response

Pandemic response refers to the measures taken by governments to manage and mitigate the impact of a widespread disease outbreak. The video criticizes Trump's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting a lack of preparedness and misinformation. This keyword is critical as it encapsulates the administration's approach to a public health crisis and its consequences.

💡National Debt

National debt is the total amount of money owed by a government. The script notes an increase in the national debt under Trump's administration, largely due to tax cuts. This keyword is significant as it reflects fiscal policy decisions and their long-term economic implications.

💡Muslim Ban

The Muslim Ban refers to the Trump administration's travel restrictions on individuals from certain Muslim-majority countries. The video mentions this policy, indicating its controversial nature and impact on immigration. This keyword is important as it represents a key aspect of the administration's approach to national security and civil liberties.

💡Infrastructure

Infrastructure refers to the basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise. The video mocks Trump's repeated promises to improve U.S. infrastructure, which were never realized. This keyword is relevant as it highlights unfulfilled campaign promises and the gap between rhetoric and action.

Highlights

Donald Trump left office with the lowest approval rating of any president ever.

Trump fueled division and sparked a record uptick in hate crimes.

Murder rates and gun sales increased significantly under Trump's presidency.

America suffered over 1,700 mass shootings during Trump's term.

Trump's comments on neo-Nazis in Charlottesville were controversial.

Trump allied with the Proud Boys, a violent hate group, linked to the January 6th Capitol attack.

Trump's judicial appointments led to abortion bans in states affecting 1 in 3 American women of childbearing age.

Trump's White House interfered in the FBI's investigation of Brett Kavanaugh's alleged sexual assaults.

Trump was convicted of 34 felonies while in office, including criminally false business filings.

Trump's failed pandemic response led to an estimated hundreds of thousands of needless COVID deaths.

Trump's administration discarded the pandemic response playbook and disbanded the National Security Council’s pandemic response team.

Trump promoted unproven COVID cures and even suggested injecting disinfectants.

Trump presided over a net loss of 2.9 million American jobs, the worst recorded job numbers of any president.

Trump profited off the presidency, making an estimated $160 million from foreign countries.

Trump caused the longest government shutdown in U.S. history over funding for his border wall.

Trump's administration separated more than 5,000 children from their parents at the border.

Trump was impeached twice, once for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, and once for incitement of insurrection.

Trump made false claims about the 2020 election being rigged and pressured state leaders to falsify results.

Trump's economic policies did not deliver the promised $4,000 raise for the average American family.

Trump's administration rolled back over 100 environmental protections and pulled out of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Trump made it easier for employers to remove birth control coverage from insurance plans.

Trump's presidency saw an increase in the number of people lacking health insurance by 3 million.

Trump made 30,573 false or misleading claims while president, averaging 21 a day.

Transcripts

Donald Trump left office

with the lowest approval rating

of any president ever.

But some people now seem to be suffering from amnesia.

Let me jog your memory.

Here are the 10 worst things about the Trump presidency.

In no particular order.

Trump fueled division

and sparked a record uptick in hate crimes.

Murder went way up under Trump.

He presided over the largest ever

single-year increase in homicides in 2020.

Now, a number of factors might have contributed to that.

But a big one is...

Gun sales broke records under Trump,

who has bragged about how he “did nothing” —

We did nothing.

— to restrict guns as president, in spite of...

Under Trump, America suffered more than

1,700 mass shootings.

Trump said there were

very fine people

among the neo-Nazis in Charlottesville.

I'm halfway to ten.

If you think I'm missing something big,

well, just leave it in the comments.

Trump allied himself with the Proud Boys,

a violent hate group who helped orchestrate

the January 6th Capitol attack.

Proud Boys, stand back and stand by.

Trump's not wrong when he says:

I got rid of Roe v. Wade.

It's entirely because of Trump's judicial appointments

that 1 in 3 American women of childbearing age

now lives in states with abortion bans.

One of Trump’s Supreme Court justices was

Brett Kavanaugh, a man accused of sexual assault

by multiple women.

Trump's White House interfered

in the FBI's investigation

of Brett Kavanaugh's alleged sexual assaults.

Trump has been convicted of committing

34 felonies while in office.

The criminally false business filings

he got convicted for in New York?

All of them were committed

while he was president.

I'm sorry.

Did I say the 10 worst things about the Trump presidency?

No.

No, I meant 15.

Trump's failed pandemic response is estimated to have led

to hundreds of thousands of needless deaths.

By the time Trump left office, roughly 3,000 Americans

were dying of COVID every day.

That's a 9/11 scale mass casualty event every single day.

How did Trump screw up so badly?

Trump's White House discarded

the pandemic response playbook that had been assembled

by the Obama administration.

Trump disbanded

the National Security Council’s pandemic response team.

Trump repeatedly lied about the danger of COVID,

saying it was no worse than the flu

or it would go away on its own.

Because of all we’ve done,

the risk to the American people remains very low.

A lot of people think that goes away in April

with the heat.

It’s going to disappear.

One day — it’s like a miracle — it will disappear.

But behind closed doors,

Trump admitted he knew COVID was deadly.

This is deadly stuff.

Trump promoted fake COVID cures like hydroxychloroquine,

and even injecting people with disinfectants.

Injection inside or...

or...

almost a cleaning.

After Trump's disinfectant remarks,

poison control centers received a spike

in emergency calls.

That’s 15 things.

Should I keep going?

Okay, I'll keep going.

The 20 worst things about the Trump presidency.

Trump presided over a net loss

of 2.9 million American jobs —

the worst recorded jobs numbers

of any president in U.S. history.

Trump profited off the presidency,

making an estimated $160 million from foreign countries

while he was president.

Trump also billed the Secret Service over $1 million dollars

for the privilege of staying at his golf clubs

and other Trump properties while they protected him.

That’s YOUR money.

Trump caused the longest government shutdown

in U.S. history

when he didn't get funding for his border wall,

which he said Mexico was going to pay for.

I’m not going to pay for that

f***ing wall.

Under Trump, the national debt increased by about 40%,

more than in any other four-year presidential term,

largely because of his tax cuts

for the rich and big corporations.

You didn't really think I was stopping at 20, did you?

We're going to 25.

Trump separated more than 5,000 children

from their parents at the border

with no plan to ever reunite them —

putting babies in cages.

The Muslim ban.

Yes, Trump really did

try to ban Muslims from entering the country.

Trump sparked international outrage

by moving the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem

while closing the U.S.-Palestine office.

Trump tasked his son-in-law,

Jared Kushner,

with drafting a potential Middle East peace plan

with zero Palestinian input.

And finally,

Trump recognized Israel's occupation of the Golan Heights,

which is considered illegal under international law.

So, there you have it, folks.

The 25 worst —

Wait a minute.

Wait a minute, wait a minute!

Did I mention the impeachments?

We've got to do the impeachments.

Okay, let's go to 30.

Trump broke the law by trying to withhold

nearly $400 million of U.S. aid for Ukraine

in an effort to extort a personal political favor

from Ukraine's President Zelensky.

Trump wanted Zelensky to interfere in the 2020 election

by announcing an investigation

into the Bidens.

Delaying this aid to Ukraine

weakened Ukraine and strengthened Russia.

Trump personally attacked and ruined the careers

of everyone who stood in the way

of his illegal Ukraine scheme,

including Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch

and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman.

To cover up the scheme,

Trump ordered the White House

and State Department

to defy congressional subpoenas.

We’re fighting all the subpoenas.

For these reasons, on December 18th, 2019,

Trump became the third U.S. president to be impeached.

He was charged with abuse of power

and obstruction of Congress.

Even while he was being investigated

for trying to get Ukraine to interfere in the U.S. election,

Trump publicly called for China to interfere in the election.

China should start an investigation into the Bidens.

So, those are the 30 —

PRODUCER: What about the other impeachments

and trying to end American democracy?

Hm.

Yep.

Okay. I'll go to 35.

Long before Election Day,

Trump started making false claims

that the election would be rigged.

It will be a rigged election.

After losing, Trump falsely claimed

the election was stolen,

even though his own inner circle, including

his campaign manager,

White House lawyers,

and his own Justice Department,

and attorney general

told him it was not.

The claims of fraud were bullsh*t.

Trump kept telling his Big Lie

even after more than 60 legal challenges to the election

were struck down in court,

many by Trump-appointed judges.

Trump ordered the Department of Justice

to falsely claim that the election was corrupt.

Trump and his allies used threats

to pressure state leaders in Arizona and Georgia

to falsify the election results.

We may go to 40.

Is that okay? 40?

When none of the previous schemes worked,

Trump and his allies

produced fake electoral votes cast by

fake electors in multiple swing states.

FAKE ELECTORS: We’re electors, sir.

We’re electors.

POLICE OFFICER: The electors are already here.

They’ve been checked in.

Trump’s former White House chief of staff and Rudy Giuliani

are among the many members of his inner circle

who have been criminally indicted for this scheme.

Trump tried to bully Vice President Pence

into obstructing the certification of the election.

If Mike Pence does the right thing,

we win the election.

Trump invited a mob to the Capitol on January 6th with his

“Be there, will be wild!” tweet.

Sworn testimony alleges that when Trump was warned

that members of the crowd were carrying deadly weapons,

he ordered security metal detectors to be taken down.

Knowing the crowd had deadly weapons,

he ordered them to go to the Capitol and

Yes, yes.

I know, I know, I know.

Bear with me.

I've got to go on.

Trump betrayed his oath to defend the nation

by doing nothing to stop the January 6th violence.

Instead, according to witness testimony,

he sat and watched TV — for hours!

On January 13th, 2021,

Trump became the only president ever to be impeached

twice.

This time, he was charged with incitement of insurrection.

It was a bipartisan vote.

The majority of senators,

57 out of 100,

voted to convict Trump,

including seven Republican senators.

So that's the two impeachments and the Big Lie,

but wait. Wait, wait.

We haven't dealt with Russia, right?

We're going to 50, alright?

Trump publicly sided with

Putin over the U.S. intelligence community in denying

Russia's interference in the 2016 election.

In a likely obstruction of justice,

Trump pressured then-FBI Director James Comey

to stop the FBI's investigation

into Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn.

This was documented in the Mueller report.

When Comey didn't bend to Trump's will,

Trump fired him.

Trump tried to shut down the Mueller investigation

by ordering White House counsel Don McGahn

to fire Mueller.

McGahn refused because that would be

criminal obstruction of justice.

Trump ordered his staff not to turn over emails

showing Don Jr. had set up a meeting at Trump Tower

before the 2016 election

with representatives of the Russian government.

Trump convinced Michael Cohen to lie to Congress

about Trump's plans to build a Trump Tower in Moscow,

and Cohen served prison time for lying to Congress.

Trump was not charged for criminal obstruction of justice

because it's the Justice Department's policy

not to indict a sitting president.

But more than a thousand former federal prosecutors

who served under both Republicans and Democrats

signed a letter declaring there was

more than enough evidence to prosecute Trump.

So, those are the 50 worst things

about the Trump presidency.

Now, I could go on...

and I will!

The 75 worst things about the Trump presidency!

Trump said he'd hire only

the best people.

The best people.

The best

best

best

best people in the world.

But his campaign chair was convicted of multiple crimes.

So was one of his closest associates.

His deputy campaign chair pleaded guilty to crimes.

So did his personal lawyer,

his national security adviser,

the chief financial officer of his business campaign,

a campaign foreign policy adviser,

and one of his campaign fundraisers.

They all committed crimes

and Trump pardoned most of them!

Trump said he'd

drain the swamp

in Washington, D.C.

but he appointed more billionaires, CEOs,

and Wall Street moguls to his administration

than any administration in history.

Trump intervened to get his son-in-law, Jared Kushner,

Top Secret clearance after he was denied

over concerns about foreign influence.

Trump hosted a Russian foreign minister in the Oval Office

where Trump revealed top secret intelligence.

Oh!

And Trump's economic policies!

Trump promised that the average American family

would see a $4,000 pay raise

because of his tax cuts

for the wealthy and big corporations.

Well, how did that work out?

Did you get a $4,000 raise?

Of course not!

Nobody did!

Trump vowed to protect American jobs,

but offshoring increased, and manufacturing fell.

Trump said he would fix America's infrastructure

but it never happened.

He announced so many failed “infrastructure weeks,”

they became a running joke!

Since it’s infrastructure week...

(Laughter)

IS it infrastructure week?

Trump said he would be “the voice” of American workers.

I am your voice!

But he filled the National Labor Relations Board with

anti-union flacks

who made it harder for workers to unionize.

Trump's Labor Department made it easier for bosses

to get out of paying workers overtime,

which cheated 8 million workers of extra pay.

Trump repeatedly suggested

he might serve more than two terms

— in violation of the Constitution.

And continues to do so!

We may have to go for an extra term.

Trump called Haiti and African nations

“sh*thole countries.”

Trump tried to terminate DACA,

which protects immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.

Luckily, this was struck down by the courts.

Trump called climate change a

“HOAX.”

Trump pulled out of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Trump rolled back more than

100 environmental protections.

Every budget Trump proposed included

cuts to Social Security and Medicare.

Trump tried — and failed —

to repeal the Affordable Care Act,

CROWD: Do your job!

which would have resulted in

20 million Americans losing insurance.

And striking down the ACA’s protections

for the roughly 130 million people

with preexisting conditions

could have driven up their insurance premiums

or led to a loss of coverage.

Trump made it easier for employers

to remove birth control coverage from insurance plans.

By the end of Trump's term, the number of people

lacking health insurance had risen by 3 million.

Trump lied.

Constantly!

He made 30,573 false or misleading claims while president

— an average of 21 a day,

according to the Washington Post fact checkers.

Trump allegedly took hundreds of classified documents

on his way out of the White House,

reportedly including nuclear secrets,

which he then left unsecured

in various parts of Mar-a-Lago —

including a bathroom!

He was even caught on tape showing them off to people.

Isn’t it amazing? I have a big pile of papers...

Except it is, like, highly confidential.

Secret.

Look at this.

See as president I could have declassified it.

But now I can’t.

Trump seriously discussed the idea

of nuking a hurricane.

When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico,

Trump delayed $20 billion of aid

and allowed Puerto Rico to be without power for 181 days.

Trump suggested withholding

federal aid for California wildfire recovery,

and said the solution was to

“clean the floors of the forest.”

We’ve gotta... take care of the floors.

Trump pulled out of the Iran deal,

placing Iran on a path to developing nuclear weapons.

Honestly, there's so much more —

from exchanging love letters

with North Korea's brutal dictator...

We fell in love.

to publicly denigrating a Gold Star military widow

and making her cry,

to the way he attacked journalists,

to late night tweet binges.

Look, I can understand why a lot of people want to

block all of this out of their memories, but

we cannot afford to forget

just how terrible

Trump’s time at the White House was for this nation.

And we sure as hell

can’t afford to put him

back there.