US politics newsletter - A long 100 days

By Jeff Mason

WASHINGTON, May 1 (Reuters) - How many years are there in 100 days? President Donald Trump hit the 100-day milestone of his second term this week, sparking celebration by his supporters and criticism from his detractors, but one thing perhaps both sides can agree on: this felt like a lot longer than three months. Buckle up, because it’s all only just begun.

"The Golden Age.” “Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!” “Buy American Hire American.” Those were the signs that flanked Trump at a rally in Michigan on Wednesday to mark his 100 th day in office. His one-and-a-half-hour speech featured a greatest hits of grievances, a video montage of migrants being taken forcibly to El Salvador, and a series of boasts about the health of the economy, even though it contracted for the first time in three years during the first quarter under pressure from Trump’s tariffs.

The crowd ate it up. Supporters, decked in red, white and blue and Trump garb, told me they were delighted with his performance at the White House and willing to tolerate some economic pain while he remade the U.S. economy.

“He gambles. Sometimes it might not work, but a lot of times it does,” said Sheri Drennan, 63. Asked specifically about the tariffs, she said: “I think he’s taking a big gamble, but we’re in such a state of emergency, I think something big does need to be done to make trading fair.”

What about those stock market swings that have wiped trillions of dollars of wealth away? “We’re going to feel a little bit of a pinch,” said Joanne Weber, 83. “We’ll ride it out.”

Though he has support from his base, polls this week noted some worrying signs for the president as he kicks off his next 100 days. A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed his approval rating holding steady but discontent rising over his handling of the economy. On the economy and other areas, including ending the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, Trump’s r ecord of accomplishment is mixed , even if his level of activity, from attacks on diversity programs, universities and law firms and media organizations, to changes in the U.S. relationship with the rest of the world, has been rapid. Courts, meanwhile, have stalled his agenda in some areas.

Cue the victory lap. White House officials spent the week highlighting his actions on immigration , taxes and trade , and efforts to overhaul the government with massive jobs cuts. Officials told reporters the next 100 days would be focused on trade talks and peace negotiations .

It’s been an ambitious start. Will the Trump administration have the stamina to continue at the same frenetic pace? All signs suggest you can count on it.

THE VIEW FROM CANADA:

Trump likes to cite his own election victory in his speeches, but he had a major hand this week in Canada’s election, which kept power in the hands of Liberals and Prime Minister Mark Carney . The former central banker and his party turned around a massive deficit in opinion polls to maintain power after Trump’s trolling of the U.S. ally as a potential 51st state. Trump said Carney would visit the White House soon.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

May 1: Trump delivers a commencement address at the University of Alabama

May 13-16: Trump travels to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates

TOP U.S. POLITICS HEADLINES :

• Inside the U.S. battle with China over an island paradise deep in the Pacific

• Graphics: The global economy is on a Trump roller-coaster ride

• Musk lays groundwork for big donor role in midterm elections as time with DOGE ends

After 100 days, Trump voters feel tariffs, but most see long-term gain

• Trump struggles to explain weak economic data as he reaches 100-day mark

THE WHO, WHAT AND WHEN:

• Trump and his campaign promises: Mapping his first 100 days

• Who accredits US universities and what does Trump want to change?

• Cutting Medicaid could dramatically affect millions