Presidential campaigns are built on promises—some aspirational, others tactical, and many shaped more by emotion than by feasible policy. When Donald Trump stormed into the White House in 2016, he did so on the back of bold declarations and superlative visions. He promised to be a disruptor, a dealmaker, and a president unlike any before him.
But ambition alone is not enough to govern. As Trump reached his first major milestone—the 100-day mark—it became increasingly clear that governing requires more than slogans. It demands strategy, collaboration, and, above all, execution.
So how did President Trump’s early days in office measure up to the expectations he set? Here’s a closer look at the ten biggest promises that didn’t materialize in his first 100 days—and what each of them says about his leadership.
