Donald Trump’s image as a master negotiator—the foundation of his political brand—is being steadily eroded in the course of his second presidential term. His supporters, both inside and outside the White House, continue to extol his unconventional dealmaking style, portraying it as the embodiment of "The Art of the Deal." But with each unfulfilled promise, that image grows less stable.
The bar was always set high—and remains out of reach. Trump vowed to end the war in Ukraine on his first day back in the White House. More than 140 days have passed. He promised to secure peace in Gaza—the ceasefire collapsed long ago, and talks have stalled. His self-imposed two-month deadline for a nuclear deal with Iran expires this Thursday, with no tangible results in sight.
The economic agenda shows a similar pattern of stagnation. Trump insisted that trade wars are "good and easy to win." Yet not a single comprehensive agreement has been signed. Talks with the United Kingdom—a country with which the U.S. runs a trade surplus—have reached only a framework stage. With China, there is merely a vague outline, lacking binding commitments.
Decisions on the fate of TikTok and U.S. Steel remain unresolved. And the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill"—Trump’s flagship legislative proposal—seems increasingly unlikely to land on his desk by July 4, as promised.
In some cases, such as the China trade talks or the future of U.S. Steel, the Trump administration prematurely declared progress. In others—like the much-touted $600 billion in Saudi investment—specific details have been deliberately withheld.
Nowhere is the gap between rhetoric and reality more evident than in immigration policy. Protests against federal immigration measures, which began in Los Angeles, have spread to other cities. Following Trump’s orders, around 2 000 National Guard troops were deployed to the city, and Marine units were assigned to help protect federal facilities. A curfew, tear gas, and rubber bullets have failed to suppress the unrest, while the promised "quick fix" increasingly resembles a path to escalation rather than a coherent plan to deliver on campaign pledges.
There is still a chance for a political breakthrough—from passing the "Big Beautiful Bill" to striking new deals. But for now, these remain matters of expectation rather than accomplishment.
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