As President-elect, Donald Trump made scores of promises that, if kept during his second term in office, would significantly reshape American life, culture, economics, politics and diplomacy.
Over the course of the 2024 campaign, and since his election in November, Trump has offered a road map to what he calls an America First agenda and what his critics say would be the dismantling of democratic norms and a decades-old international order.
His promises ranged from the vague (“I will unite our country by bringing it to new and record levels of success”) to the specific (“You’re going to get full expensing. In other words, you have a one-year write-off”) to the vengeful (“I will appoint a real special prosecutor to go after the most corrupt president in the history of the United States of America, Joe Biden, and the entire Biden crime family”). Many of his economic promises were aimed at Americans who have struggled with the rising costs of housing, groceries and other goods.
He has vowed to shut down the southern border, pardon January 6, 2021, felons, end foreign wars, slash taxes, ban transgender women from playing in girls’ sports, eliminate the Education Department, fire “woke” generals from the military and impose vast tariffs. He wants to eliminate regulations, impose the death penalty on migrants, reevaluate the use of some vaccines, get rid of windmills and end financial incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles.
Taken together, those promises and many more are among the metrics by which history will judge Trump at the end of his second term as President.
That reckoning about Trump’s legacy was interrupted by Joe Biden’s presidency. In a speech last month, Trump said he had “campaigned on an agenda of delivering profound change to Washington”. He promised to “embark on the most exciting and successful period of reform and renewal in all of American history”.
Whether his presidency lives up to those lofty aspirations will be determined by historians years after he leaves the Oval Office.
“Donald Trump was elected by American voters after being very candid about the sweep of the changes he wishes to make in our society, our structure of government and our role in the world,” said Michael Beschloss, a presidential historian. “During the campaign, he was also very open about using formidable presidential power to make that transformation. For both his supporters and his opponents, the result could be a crucial moment in American history.”
Economy and inflation
End inflation
“Starting on Day 1, we will end inflation and make America affordable again.” - August 9, 2024 / Bozeman, Montana
Voters’ frustration with inflation was one of the biggest factors in Trump’s victory. But many economists argue that his proposals are likely to drive prices higher. Still, inflation has already dropped.
Push gas below US$2 a gallon
“That means we’re going down and getting gasoline below $2 a gallon.” - September 5, 2024 / Economic Club of New York
Energy analysts have suggested that there is no obvious way for him to fulfil this promise – a President doesn’t directly control the oil companies, and the US already pumps more crude oil than any country in history.
Lower housing costs
“We will eliminate regulations that drive up housing costs, with the goal of cutting the cost of a new home in half” by eliminating regulations. - September 5, 2024 / Economic Club of New York
“My plan will ban mortgages for illegal aliens” by banning immigrants in the country illegally from obtaining mortgages. - September 5, 2024 / Economic Club of New York
“We’re going to open up tracts of federal land for housing construction” by opening up portions of federal land for housing. - August 15, 2024 / News conference at Bedminster, New Jersey
The problem for Trump is that most of the most expensive and onerous regulations are imposed by state and local governments. Opening up federal land can be done – but immediate access to cheaper stock isn’t likely. And finally, only a tiny fraction of mortgages were issued to borrowers without Social Security numbers in 2023.
Tariffs
Impose ‘universal’ 20% tariff
“We’re going to have 10 to 20% tariffs on foreign countries that have been ripping us off for years.” - August 14, 2024 / Asheville, North Carolina
In contrast to more targeted tariffs in his first term, Trump has proposed them on nearly all foreign products. He has a variety of legal authorities he could use, though they could face challenges in court.
Impose 60% tariff on China
“We have to do it. … Maybe it’s going to be more than that.” - February 4, 2024 / Fox News Interview
Trump put significant tariffs on Chinese products in his first term, but he has promised to do even more to sever trade in his second. He could immediately impose tariffs on China using existing authorities. Removing permanent normal trading relations – which would also practically result in higher tariffs – would require an Act of Congress.
Crime and policing
Increase trafficking penalties
“Working with local law enforcement, we will launch a federal task force to dismantle the gangs, the street crews and the criminal networks that are ravaging our towns. This will include a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence for anyone guilty of human smuggling. A guaranteed life sentence for anyone guilty of child trafficking.” - September 6, 2024 / Charlotte, North Carolina
Trump cannot change federal sentencing on his own; he’ll need Congress. He could, however, instruct federal prosecutors to use their discretion to pursue the most serious charges available.
Give police ‘immunity’
“We’re going to let them do their job, and I’m going to give them immunity.” - October 15, 2024 / Cumming, Georgia
Trump could influence whether federal prosecutors pursue charges against the police. But it would be up to Congress to pass a law amending the current qualified immunity standard.
Immigration and the border
Start mass deportation on Day 1
“On Day 1, I will launch the largest deportation programme in American history. We’re going to get the criminals out.” - October 28, 2024 / New York
Trump’s deportation promise will need a major influx of resources. He will also need more cooperation from jails and local jurisdictions that have limited cooperation with immigration officials.
End birthright citizenship
“In my new term in office I will sign an executive order making clear to federal agencies that under the correct interpretation of the law, going forward, the future children of illegal aliens will not receive automatic US citizenship.” - May 30, 2023 / Campaign video
Keeping this promise would be a sea change in US immigration policy and undoubtedly be challenged immediately in federal court as unconstitutional.
Restore and expand travel ban
“On Day 1, we will restore the Trump travel ban on entry from terror-plagued countries, and we will implement strict vetting and ideological screening.” - November 8, 2023 / Hialeah, Florida
Trump’s initial travel ban was enacted through an executive order in the first days of his term. After large-scale protests, court challenges and some revisions, the Supreme Court ultimately upheld a version that blocked travel from several predominantly Muslim countries, Venezuela and North Korea.
Suspend refugee programmes
“On Day 1 of the Trump presidency, I will restore the travel ban, suspend refugee admissions, stop the resettlement and keep the terrorists the hell out of our country.” - July 27, 2024 / St. Cloud, Minnesota
This is well within Trump’s executive authority. By the end of his first term, he had hollowed out the programme entirely, proposing that the US accept only 15,000 refugees in 2021. Biden rebuilt it.
Healthcare
Cover in vitro fertilisation
“Under the Trump administration, your Government will pay for, or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for, all costs associated with IVF treatment.” - August 29, 2024 / Potterville, Michigan
Fulfilling this pledge would be an uphill battle, according to health policy experts. IVF is expensive. Requiring insurers to pay would most likely mean passing laws in Congress or getting IVF added to a list of free preventive women’s health services established by the Affordable Care Act.
Protect Medicare and Medicaid
“We’re not going to play around with Social Security, and we’re not going to play around with Medicare, Medicaid.” - June 25, 2023 / Novi, Michigan
Trump has long promised to protect Medicare, though at various times he has signalled openness to cuts to help reduce the federal deficit. Trump has not offered detailed plans for how he might address financing shortfalls.
Veto a federal abortion ban
“Everyone knows I would not support a federal abortion ban, under any circumstances, and would, in fact, veto it, because it is up to the states to decide based on the will of their voters.” - October 1, 2024 / Post on social platform X
After a number of shifts, Trump distanced himself from a federal ban, saying abortion should be left to the states. But he has been less clear on how his administration would regulate the abortion pill mifepristone, for example.
Foreign policy
End Ukraine war in ‘24 hours’
“First, I’ll meet with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, I’ll meet with (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskyy. They both have weaknesses and they both have strengths. And within 24 hours that war will be settled.” - May 11, 2024 / CNN town hall
On the debate stage, Trump promised he would have the war settled before he even took office. That didn’t happen – no surprise, given that peace talks have not yet even been established.
Reassess Nato
“Finally, we have to finish the process we began under my Administration of fundamentally reevaluating Nato’s purpose and Nato’s mission.” - March 16, 2023 / Video on campaign website
Under a new law, presidents cannot pull the US out of Nato without congressional approval. But Trump could test the boundaries of that law, or he could scale back America’s role.
Taxes
Extend and expand tax cuts
“The fifth pillar of my plan is to make the Trump tax cuts permanent. They are massive tax cuts, biggest ever. Permanent, and to cut taxes even more.” - September 5, 2024 / Economic Club of New York
Many of the tax cuts that Trump signed into law in 2017 are set to expire at the end of the year. Republicans control Congress, and they are preparing to pass legislation extending those cuts – but they are likely to do so only temporarily because of the cost. That would set up another fight in the future over whether to keep the tax cuts in place.
Give targeted tax breaks
“Because when I get to office, we are going to not charge taxes on tips, people making tips. We’re not going to do it, and we’re going to do that right away, first thing in office.” - June 9, 2024 / Las Vegas
Of the tax pledges Trump made on the campaign trail, Republicans are treating this idea as the most serious one. They are figuring out how to translate the slogan into legislation and prevent abuse by high-paid Americans who could restructure their earnings into tips to avoid taxes.
Restore SALT deduction
“I will restore the SALT deduction – do you know what that is? SALT deduction? You will. To save you thousands of dollars.” - September 23, 2024 / Indiana, Pennsylvania
Republicans capped the state and local tax deduction at US$10,000 to offset the cost of the Trump tax cuts in 2017. Republicans in high-cost states like New York, New Jersey and California have pushed to restore it, making their support for a broader tax bill contingent on addressing the issue.
Expand the child tax credit
“To lift up American families, I will protect and expand the child tax credit we created.” - November 2, 2024 / Gastonia, North Carolina
The Trump tax cuts doubled the child tax credit, and some Republicans want to expand it even further. Doing so is expensive, though, and it is still unclear how much money Republicans are willing to dedicate to their tax legislation this year.
Energy
Halt electric vehicle incentives
“On Day 1 of the Trump administration, I will terminate Kamala’s insane electric vehicle mandate, and we will end the green new scam once and for all.” - October 21, 2024 / Greenville, North Carolina
Promises to eliminate US$7500 tax credits and other incentives for electric vehicle buyers could face resistance from Republican lawmakers in states like Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina, whose voters have benefited from jobs and investment in electric car and battery factories.
Speed fossil fuel production
“We’re going to lower your energy costs by 50% within one year. We’re going to drill, baby, drill.” - June 6, 2024 / Phoenix
Energy experts say that presidents have limited tools to influence the prices of gasoline or electricity. And Trump will have little control over global oil markets, which make it difficult for him to fulfil what was one of his most specific promises on the trail.
Justice Department and retribution
Criminally investigate Biden family
“I will appoint a real special prosecutor to go after the most corrupt president in the history of the USA, Joe Biden, the entire Biden crime family and all others involved with the destruction of our elections, borders and the country itself.” - June 13, 2023 / Bedminster, New Jersey
Trump and his Republican allies spent years accusing Biden and his family of corrupt behaviour. The main target was Hunter Biden, the President’s son, who pleaded guilty to nine federal tax charges and was convicted of three felony counts for lying on a federal firearms application. Biden pardoned his son after Trump won.
Pardon some January 6, 2021 rioters
“The moment we win, we will rapidly review the cases of every political prisoner unjustly victimised by the Harris regime. And I will sign their pardons on Day 1.” - September 7, 2024 / Mosinee, Wisconsin
Presidents can issue pardons for federal crimes. Trump, who has tried to recast the violent effort to interrupt the peaceful transfer of power as an act of patriotism by his supporters, has never specified the criteria he would use to evaluate the cases, which range from non-violent offences to accusations of assaulting police to seditious conspiracy.
Transgender rights and diversity, equity and inclusion
Revive a ban in the military
“And I will restore the Trump ban on transgender in the military.” - July 15, 2023 / Turning Point in Palm Beach, Florida
Trump’s ban in his first term, issued via executive order, survived court challenges but was lifted by President Joe Biden in the first days of his term.
Sign anti-transgender order
“I will sign a new executive order instructing every federal agency to cease all programmes that promote the concept of sex or gender transition at any age.” - February 1, 2023 / campaign video
Trump and his advisers used transgender rights as a cultural wedge in the hopes of appealing to suburban voters who are turned off by the practice of transition, especially among young people. He repeatedly vowed to prohibit transition from one gender to another but was vague about what federal powers he would use to effect that ban.
Eliminate DEI programmes
“We will terminate every diversity, equity and inclusion programme across the entire federal government.” - January 21, 2024 / Rochester, New Hampshire
Biden issued a number of executive orders aimed at bolstering DEI initiatives in the federal Government. Trump is expected to issue his own executive orders reversing them.
Reshaping Government
Eliminate Education Department
“I will close the federal Department of Education, and we will move everything back to the states, where it belongs, and where they can individualise education.” - February 22, 2024 / Nashville, Tennessee
Any effort to disband the Department of Education would have to go through Congress. Trump has not addressed whether he might move some of the department’s programmes, which include federal student aid programmes, to other departments.
Create efficiency team
“I will create a government efficiency commission tasked with conducting a complete financial and performance audit of the entire federal government and making recommendations for drastic reforms.” - September 5, 2024 / Economic Club of New York
Trump, early in the presidential transition, announced the Department of Government Efficiency, an amorphous commission led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. The commission can issue recommendations around federal funding and regulations but will be powerless to enact them without executive actions by Trump or funding approval by Congress.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Written by: Michael D. Shear and Michael Gold
Photographs by: Doug Mills and Kenny Holston
©2025 THE NEW YORK TIMES
