May 2025 Presidential Update

In May, Donald Trump started to slow down his role as president and focus on smaller tasks that align with his ideas for a successful presidency. 

Trump spent four days in May in the Middle East, talking with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. He completed deals worth about $600 billion in Saudi Arabia, signed a $96 billion Boeing Deal, discussed a possible U.S. takeover of the Gaza Strip in Qatar, and signed a deal with the United Arab Emirates for increased AI advancement worth around $1.4 trillion. Many found it to be a successful trip, for the most part. One thing he did that raised concerns about National Security was accepting a jet from Qatar, since there are risks of security ranging from the safety of the plane to listening devices installed in the jet. Even so, Trump accepted the gift and plans to use it soon.

In foreign policy, Trump has recently expressed anger with Vladimir Putin for continuing attacks on Ukraine, while peace talks are happening. While he struggles with Russia and Ukraine, Trump has brought his tariffs down on China to 30% after exceeding 100%. While this percentage is still significantly high, it is substantially lower compared to before. Still, companies like Walmart have announced they will begin raising prices due to tariffs, calling for Trump to continue to bring down all tariffs. 

Outside of China, there are few noticeable tariffs still active after they were postponed for ninety days in April. He threatened a 50% tariff on the European Union, which was postponed after a “very nice call” with officials from the European Union. 

News from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has also slowed down, and Elon Musk has stepped away from the position. Musk and Trump were happy with the work done, as Musk now plans to step away from politics completely. 

As DOGE slows down, Robert F. Kennedy’s MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) movement has picked up speed in May, with RFK Jr. releasing his first “big report” on the leading causes of obesity and chronic diseases. He found that ultra-processed foods, environmental chemicals, and a lack of physical activity are leading factors. Kennedy now wants to begin targeting certain chemicals in candies and desserts to try and bring down obesity and chronic disease rates, which have surged in recent years.

Movements like rapid deportations, increased border security, and increased military spending have continued into this month, and will only continue to surge after Republicans passed a new, “big, beautiful bill.” Outside of increased immigration and military spending, the bill calls for no taxes on tips or overtime, extensions of the Trump tax cuts from 2017, and lifting the debt ceiling. Due to the high expenses of the bill, they plan to enforce a student loan overhaul, cut clean energy, and introduce tougher Medicaid restrictions. All Democrats were against this bill, and two Republicans also voted against it. But, in the end, after a 215-214 vote count, the bill was passed.

Trump’s approval rating currently sits at an average of 45%, according to the New York Times. His new bill and his work done during his trip to the Middle East could shake his approval rating, for better or worse.