Trump's Accomplishments: Hundreds of Reasons Why Americans Vote Trump
Donald Trump’s top accomplishments include record-low unemployment rates for African Americans and Latinos, historic HBCU funding, military pay raises, and his leadership in defeating ISIS. Plus real wage growth, Operation Warp Speed, and more.
Trump Accomplishments
A close look at the first Trump administration’s legacy, not from the viewpoint of pundits or critics, but through the eyes of those who shaped it. What are the accomplishments they would highlight to the American public as reasons for a second term? What policies do they consider transformative?
Top Trump Accomplishments
No New Foreign Wars: Trump’s administration did not involve the U.S. in any new foreign wars.
African American Unemployment: The national unemployment rate for African Americans hit a record low of 5.4% under Trump.
Permanent HBCU Funding: Trump signed the FUTURE Act, providing $25 million/year in permanent funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Record Low Latino Unemployment: Hispanic American unemployment dropped to a record low of 3.9%.
Native American Task Force: Trump signed an executive order establishing the Task Force on Missing and Murdered Native Americans, addressing high rates of violence against indigenous communities.
Women’s Unemployment: The unemployment rate for women hit its lowest in 65 years, dropping to 3.4% in April 2019.
Largest Military Pay Raise: Trump secured a 3% military pay raise, the largest in nearly a decade.
Real Wage Growth: Real wages increased by 7% during Trump’s first three years, the highest since the 1970s.
Operation Warp Speed: Trump spearheaded Operation Warp Speed, fast-tracking vaccine development during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Defeating ISIS: Trump led the defeat of ISIS's territorial caliphate and oversaw the killing of its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Table of Contents
Trump's Accomplishments for Black Americans
Increased HBCU Federal Funding: President Trump signed legislation increasing federal funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) by 13%. Source
Permanent HBCU Funding: Trump signed the FUTURE Act, providing $25 million per year in permanent funding for HBCUs. Source
Executive Director for HBCUs: Trump created the position of Executive Director for the White House Initiative on HBCUs. Source
HBCU Funding Achievement: Trump appropriated more money than any other president to HBCUs. Source
Opportunity Zones: Trump launched 8,762 opportunity zones aimed at attracting business and investment to low-income majority African American communities. Source
First Step Act: Trump signed the First Step Act, reforming the criminal justice system and benefiting over 3,100 inmates, with more than 90% of them being Black Americans. Source
African American Unemployment: The national unemployment rate for African Americans dropped to 5.4%, the lowest in history. Source
Preventing Maternal Deaths Act: Trump signed this act to address high maternal mortality rates, particularly among Black Americans.
MLK Birthplace National Historic Park: Trump upgraded Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthplace to a national historic park. Source
Lower Imprisonment Rate: In 2018, the imprisonment rate for African Americans hit its lowest point since 1989. Source
African American Poverty Rate: In 2019, the poverty rate for African Americans was the lowest on record. Source
Forgiveness of HBCU Hurricane Debt: Trump forgave HBCU debts resulting from Hurricane Katrina. Source
Bipartisan Justice Award: Trump received this award from the Bipartisan Justice Center for his efforts in criminal justice reform. Source
Apprenticeships and NASA Recruitment: Trump worked with private companies to offer apprenticeships for HBCU students and directed NASA to recruit HBCU enrollees for space-related careers. Source
School Voucher Program for Black Students: Trump reauthorized and funded Washington, D.C.’s school voucher program, benefiting low-income Black students. Source
Pardon of Jack Johnson: Trump posthumously pardoned Black boxing champion Jack Johnson, who had been imprisoned due to a racially charged scandal in 1912. Source
Record Low Jobless Rate for Black Teenagers: The unemployment rate for Black teenagers dropped to a record low of 15.8% under Trump, compared to 26.2% when he took office. Source
Higher Wage Gains for Nonwhites: Wage gains for nonwhite workers under Trump were substantially higher than for white workers, exceeding economists' estimates of inflation and productivity. Source
Plan for Black America: Trump’s plan for Black America designated the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) as a terrorist organization and aimed to make lynching a national hate crime. The plan also pledged to increase access to capital in Black communities by nearly $500 billion. Source
Accomplishments for Latino Americans
White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative: On July 9th, 2020, Trump enacted an executive order to improve access to education, training, and economic opportunities for Hispanic American students. Source
Job Creation: More than 2.9 million jobs for Latino Americans were created since Trump was elected. Source
Record Income: In 2017, the median Latino American income hit its highest ever recorded level ($50,486). Source
Record Low Unemployment: Hispanic American unemployment hit a record low of 3.9%. Source
Poverty Rate: Poverty rates for Hispanic Americans hit new lows in 2018. Source
Homeownership Increase: The Latino American homeownership rate rose by more than a percentage point since Trump took office (46.3% to 47.4%). Source
Income Growth: The median Latino American income rose by $1,786 during Trump’s first year in office. Source
Accomplishments for LGBT
LGBT Government Appointments: Trump nominated and appointed 5 openly gay ambassadors. Source
Global Campaign to End Criminalization of Homosexuality: Trump launched a global effort to end the criminalization of homosexuality in countries where it's still illegal to be gay. Source
HIV Prevention Efforts: Trump pledged to end HIV for the LGBT and general communities and secured free HIV medication for over 200,000 people. Source
Funding for HIV Initiative: Trump's 2021 budget proposal includes $716 million in funding to eliminate new HIV infections. Source
Historic Appointment: Trump appointed Richard Grenell as acting director of national intelligence, making him the highest-serving openly gay man in federal office. Source
Support for Gay Marriage: Trump was the first president in history to support gay marriage at the time of his election. Source
Accomplishments for Native Americans
Bills Signed for Native Communities: Trump signed 3 bills benefiting Native Americans, including one that compensates the Spokane tribe for land loss and others supporting Native language programs and federal recognition for the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Source
Task Force on Missing and Murdered Native Americans: Trump signed an executive order establishing the Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. Source
Other Accomplishments
Asian American Unemployment: The unemployment rate for Asian Americans hit a record low of 2.5% in September 2019. Source
Executive Order on Anti-Semitism: Trump signed an executive order allowing the government to withhold money from college campuses deemed anti-Semitic or failing to combat anti-Semitism. Source
Holocaust Education Bill: Trump signed the 'Never Again' Holocaust education bill, allocating $10 million to expand Holocaust awareness and provide curriculum materials for teachers. Source
Unemployment Rates by Demographic Group Under Trump
Demographic Group | Unemployment Rate Achieved Under Trump | Source |
---|---|---|
African American | 5.4%, an all-time low | |
Latino Americans | 3.9%, record low | |
Black Teenagers | 15.8%, a record low | |
Asian Americans | 2.5%, record low |
Poverty Reduction By Demographic Group Under Trump
Demographic Group | Poverty Reduction Under Trump | Source |
---|---|---|
African American Poverty Rate | Lowest ever on record (2019) | |
Hispanic American Poverty Rate | Hit new lows in 2018 | |
Women in Poverty | Number of women in poverty fell by 1.5 million | |
Total Americans Lifted from Poverty | 2.5 million Americans, including 1.4 million children lifted from poverty |
Demographic Group | Unemployment Rate Achieved | Poverty Reduction | Major Legislation / Initiatives |
---|---|---|---|
African Americans | 5.4% (All-time low) | Record low in 2019 | First Step Act, HBCU funding, Opportunity Zones |
Latino Americans | 3.9% (Record low) | Record low in 2018 | White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative, 2.9 million jobs created |
Women | 3.4% (Lowest in 65 years) | 1.5 million women lifted from poverty | STEM Education Grants, Friendly Airports for Mothers Act |
LGBT | Not specified | Not specified | Global Campaign to End Criminalization of Homosexuality, HIV medication donation |
Native Americans | Not specified | Not specified | Compensation to Spokane Tribe, Task Force on Missing Natives |
Asian Americans | 2.5% (Record low) | Not specified | Not specified |
Accomplishments for Women
Record Low Unemployment for Women: The women’s unemployment rate reached its lowest in 65 years under President Trump (3.4%, April 2019). Source
Job Gains for Women: In 2019, 1.5 million jobs were added for women, accounting for 50% of total job gains for the first time ever. Source
STEM Education Grants for Women: Trump directed more than $200 million per year to technology education grants for women and programs encouraging STEM careers. Source
INSPIRE Act: Trump signed the INSPIRE Act, encouraging NASA to have more women and girls participate in STEM and aerospace careers. Source
Reduction in Women’s Poverty: During Trump’s first year in office, the number of American women in poverty fell by nearly 600,000, and by 1.5 million over two years. Source
Friendly Airports for Mothers Act: Trump signed this bipartisan act, requiring all major U.S. airports to provide nursing rooms for breastfeeding mothers. Source
Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers Act: Trump signed this bill requiring public buildings with public bathrooms to provide separate lactation rooms for breastfeeding mothers. Source
Susan B. Anthony Pardon: Trump gave a posthumous pardon for Susan B. Anthony, a leader in the women’s suffrage movement, who was charged for illegally voting. Source
Accomplishments for Families
Tax Relief for Americans: Trump provided tax relief for 65% of Americans. Source
Household Wealth Growth: Real household wealth increased by nearly $12 trillion since 2017. Source
Household Income Growth: In 2017, real median household income rose to a post-recession high. Source
Doubling of the Child Tax Credit: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act doubled the Child Tax Credit, saving nearly 40 million families an average of $2,200. Source
Reduction in Food Stamp Use: Since Trump’s election, 5 million Americans have been lifted off food stamps. Source
Net Wealth Growth for Lower-Income Households: Before the pandemic, net wealth held by the bottom 50% of households grew by 47%, three times the rate for the top 1%. Source
Paid Parental Leave: Trump signed into law up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for millions of federal workers. Source
Increase in Single-Family Home Sales: New single-family home sales were up 31.6% in October 2019 compared to the previous year. Source
Removal of Obamacare Individual Mandate: Trump removed the Obamacare individual mandate, saving many Americans from paying penalties for not having insurance. Source
Promotion of School Choice: Trump’s tax cuts promoted school choice by allowing families to use 529 savings plans for K-12 education. Source
Religious Freedom Executive Order: Trump signed an executive order enforcing federal laws protecting religious freedom. Source
Youth Unemployment at 50-Year Low: Youth unemployment hit a 50-year low under Trump’s administration. Source
Title IX Enforcement Against Sexual Assault: In February 2020, Trump’s administration announced new Title IX enforcement to combat sexual assault in K-12 schools. Source
Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act: Trump signed the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act in 2017, which expanded protections against telemarketing and email fraud targeting the elderly. Source
Veteran Accomplishments
Veteran Initiative | Action Taken by Trump | Source |
---|---|---|
Largest Pay Raise for Military | Secured largest pay raise in nearly a decade (3.0%) | |
Mental Health Services Funding | Secured $8.6 billion in funding for veteran mental health services | |
24/7 Veteran Hotline | Created a 24/7 hotline for veterans, staffed by veterans or family | |
Veteran Suicide Prevention Campaign (REACH) | Launched $53 million campaign to reduce veteran suicides |
Accomplishments for the Military and Veterans
Military Pay Raise: Trump secured the largest military pay raise in nearly a decade, with a raise of more than 3% for the first time since 2010. Source
POW/MIA Remains Returned: Trump facilitated the return of the remains of POW/MIA service members from the Korean War due to his diplomatic efforts with North Korea. Source
Veteran Affairs Funding: Trump secured a record $73.1 billion in funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve medical care for veterans. Source
Student Loan Debt Relief for Disabled Veterans: In 2019, Trump signed a memorandum eliminating 100% of student loan debt for permanently disabled veterans. Source
Mental Health Services Funding: The Trump administration secured a record $8.6 billion in funding to improve mental health services and address veteran suicide. Source
REACH Campaign: Trump launched the REACH initiative, a $53 million, 2-year government campaign aimed at reducing suicide, particularly among veterans. Source
Record Low Veteran Unemployment: In 2019, the veteran unemployment rate was 3.1%, the lowest in 19 years. Source
24/7 Veterans Hotline: As part of VA reform, Trump created a 24/7 hotline for veterans, staffed 90% by veterans and their family members. Source
PREVENTS Executive Order: Trump signed the PREVENTS executive order to establish a 3-year effort to change the culture around mental health and prevent suicide, not just for veterans but all Americans. Source
Support for Veteran Farmers: The Trump administration provided $15 million in funding for socially disadvantaged veteran farmers and ranchers to help them own and operate farms. Source
Mental Health Access for Transitioning Veterans: Trump issued an executive order requiring a plan to provide veterans with mental health treatment as they transition to civilian life. Source
Veterans Choice Program Extension: Trump signed legislation eliminating the expiration date for the Veterans Choice Program and twice authorized funding to keep it operational. Source
VA MISSION Act: Trump signed the VA MISSION Act of 2018, which expands criteria for veterans seeking care outside the VA healthcare system. Source
Forever GI Bill: Trump signed the Forever GI Bill, bringing significant changes to education benefits for service members, veterans, and their families, including no expiration date, more benefits for Purple Heart recipients, and increased eligibility for STEM degrees. Source
Rebuilding the U.S. Military: Increased the defense budget and improved military readiness.
Trump Economy Accomplishments
Economic Accomplishments:
Economic Indicator | Achievement | Source |
---|---|---|
GDP Growth | Exceeded Congressional Budget Office projections | |
Real Household Wealth Increase | Increased by nearly $12 trillion since 2017 | |
Dow Jones Record Highs | Hit record highs over 100 times | |
Small Business Optimism | Jumped to a record high | |
Manufacturing Job Growth | Fastest rate of growth in over 30 years | |
Wage Gains for Nonwhites | Higher than wage gains for whites | |
Low-Wage Workers Income Boost | 4.5% income boost, outpacing higher-income workers | |
5 Million Americans Lifted Off Food Stamps | Since Trump took office |
Trump vs Biden Economy Statistics
Real Wage Growth: Under Trump, real wages (adjusted for inflation) increased by 7% during his first three years, the highest since the 1970s. Under Biden, real wages initially declined, with a 2.3% decrease during his first two years due to inflation outpacing wage increases.
Indicator | Trump Administration (Pre-pandemic, 2017-2019) | Biden Administration (2021-Present) |
---|---|---|
GDP Growth (Average) | 2.5% (2017-2019) | 5.8% (2021), 2.1% (2022), 2.5% (2023) |
Unemployment Rate | 3.5% (end of 2019) | 3.8% (as of Sept 2023) |
Job Creation (Excluding COVID recovery) | 6.6 million (2017-2019) | Approx. 4.9 million (excluding jobs recovered post-COVID) |
Inflation Rate | 1.5% - 2.3% (pre-pandemic) | 6.5% in 2022, 3.7% in 2023 |
National Debt | $23.2 trillion (end of 2019) | $33.6 trillion (as of October 2023) |
Gas Prices | $2.60 per gallon (Dec 2019) | $3.83 per gallon (Sept 2023) |
Highest Interest Rate | 2.25% (end of 2019) | 5.33% (July 2023) |
Real Wage Growth | 7% increase (2017-2019) | -2.3% decrease (Jan 2021 to June 2023) |
Manufacturing Jobs | +450,000 (2017-2019) | +150,000 (excluding COVID recovery) |
Grocery Price Inflation | ~2% annual increase | 20% increase (2021-2024) |
President Trump Economic Growth
Real GDP Growth: Under Trump, real GDP growth exceeded Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projections and outpaced the Obama administration's expansion. Source
Poverty Reduction: Nearly 2.5 million Americans, including 1.4 million children, were lifted out of poverty under Trump. Source
Consumer Confidence: Consumer confidence reached an 18-year high during Trump’s administration. Source
Small Business Optimism: Small business optimism hit a record high under Trump, according to the NFIB survey. Source
Tax Cut Benefits: More than 6 million workers received tax cut bonuses and benefits. Source
Utility Rate Reductions: Over 100 utility companies lowered electric, gas, or water rates thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Source
Worker Compensation Increase: 89% of companies planned to increase worker compensation due to Trump’s tax cuts. Source
Olympics Bid Win: Trump helped secure the U.S. bid for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, boosting tourism and economic activity. Source
World Cup Bid Win: Trump assisted in winning the U.S.-Mexico-Canada bid for the 2026 World Cup, expected to increase U.S. tourism and economic activity. Source
Stock Market Records: The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit record highs over 100 times during Trump’s presidency. Source
Income Boost for Low-Wage Workers: The 25% lowest-paid Americans saw a 4.5% income boost in November 2019, surpassing the 2.9% increase for the highest-paid workers. Source
Poverty Rate Decline: Before the pandemic, the poverty rate dropped to a 17-year low of 11.8% under Trump’s administration. Source
Small Business Tax Relief: Trump’s tax cuts resulted in $415 billion in tax relief for small business owners. Source
Corporate Tax Cut: Trump reduced the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Source
New Home Sales: New home sales hit their highest level since December 2006, reaching an annual rate of 901,000 units under Trump. Source
Job Satisfaction: Job satisfaction among American workers hit its highest level since 2005 (51%). Source
Pay Increases for Blue-Collar Workers: A nationwide study found that 68% of blue-collar workers received pay increases under Trump. Source
Manufacturers’ Optimism: Manufacturers’ optimism reached an all-time high of 95.1%, with medium-sized manufacturers recording the highest optimism in the survey’s 20-year history (95.8%). Source
President Trump Job Creation and Unemployment
Essential Medical Supplies Executive Order: On August 6, 2020, Trump signed an executive order to increase U.S. production of essential medical supplies and reduce reliance on foreign producers. Source
National Workforce Strategy: Trump created the National Council for the American Worker and the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board to develop a strategy for training workers in high-demand industries. Source
Job Creation: 5 million more jobs were added than the CBO projected prior to the 2016 election. Source
Surpassing Job Projections: The economy added more jobs in 2019 than the CBO projected for Trump’s first three years. Source
Unemployment Rate: The unemployment rate was 1.4 percentage points lower than the CBO’s pre-election projection as of January 2020. Source
Jobless Claims Low: Initial weekly jobless claims hit a nearly 50-year low under Trump. Source
Job Openings Surpassed Unemployment: Job openings outnumbered unemployed Americans for the first time on record under Trump. Source
Record Job Openings: U.S. employers posted a record high of 7.3 million open jobs in December 2019. Source
Unemployment Below 4%: December 2019 marked the 22nd consecutive month that the unemployment rate was at or below 4%. Source
Manufacturing Job Growth: Manufacturing added 284,000 jobs in 2018, the most in a year since 1997. Source
Record Low Unemployment for Disadvantaged Groups: Unemployment rates for Americans without a high school degree and disabled Americans hit record lows. Source
Federal Jobs for U.S. Workers: Trump’s executive order in August 2020 required federal agencies to prioritize U.S. citizens in federal contracts. Source
Support for Small Businesses After Kenosha Riots: Trump provided nearly $4 million to support small businesses affected by the Kenosha riots. Source
Youth Unemployment: Summer youth unemployment reached its lowest rate since 1966 under Trump. Source
Apprenticeship Opportunities: Trump signed an executive order expanding apprenticeship opportunities for students and workers. Source
Ready to Work Initiative: Trump’s DOJ launched the “Ready to Work Initiative” to help connect employers with former prisoners. Source
Manufacturing Job Growth: Manufacturing jobs grew at the fastest rate in over 30 years under Trump. Source
Deregulation: Trump eliminated a record number of regulations that hurt small businesses. Source
Welfare Reform: Trump signed welfare reform requiring able-bodied adults without children to work or seek employment if they are on welfare. Source
President Trump Trade and Economy
Japan Trade Agreement: Trump reached a trade deal with Japan, eliminating or reducing tariffs on $7.2 billion in U.S. agricultural exports. Source
Pork, Potatoes, and Poultry Exports: Restrictions were lifted on American pork exports to Argentina (first time in 26 years), Idaho chipping potatoes to Japan, and American poultry to South Korea. Source
U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement: Trump signed a revised version of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement. Source
USMCA Agreement: Trump created and signed the USMCA with Canada and Mexico, which created 176,000 new jobs, including 76,000 in the automotive industry, with potential for nearly 600,000 new jobs and $235 billion in economic activity. Source
USMCA Dairy Exports: Under Trump’s USMCA, American dairy exports are expected to grow by $315 million annually. Source
USMCA Agricultural Exports: American agricultural exports are expected to increase by $2.2 billion annually under the USMCA. Source
Small Business Support in USMCA: Trump’s USMCA is the first U.S. trade agreement to include a chapter supporting small and medium-sized businesses. Source
Trade and Investment Deals with China and Vietnam: Trump secured $250 billion in trade and investment deals with China and $12 billion with Vietnam. China agreed to increase agricultural purchases by $12.5 billion in 2020 and $19.5 billion in 2021. Source
Farm Aid: The Trump administration announced $28 billion in aid for farmers in 2018 and 2019. Source
Protection for Farmers: Trump authorized $12 billion in aid to protect farmers from unfair trade practices under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act. Source
Repatriated Capital: Over $1 trillion was brought back to the U.S. from overseas because of Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Source
Lower U.S.-China Trade Deficit: Under Trump, the U.S. goods trade deficit with China fell to a five-year low. Source
Middle-Class Tax Cuts: Trump passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which reduced taxes for middle-class Americans.
Trump Energy Accomplishments
Coal Exports Surge: American coal exports increased by more than 60% in 2017. Source
Natural Gas Exporter: In 2017, the U.S. became a natural gas exporter for the first time in 60 years. Source
Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines Approved: The approval of these pipelines supported an estimated 42,000 jobs and $2 billion in wages. Source
World’s Largest Oil Producer: Under Trump, the U.S. became the world’s largest producer of crude oil in 2018, surpassing Russia and Saudi Arabia. Source
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Export Extension: Trump extended LNG export authorizations through 2050, reducing the trade deficit by over $10 billion and creating tens of thousands of jobs. Source
LNG Export Growth: LNG exports quadrupled under Trump’s administration. Source
Energy Exports to Europe: Trump secured a deal with the European Union to increase U.S. energy exports to Europe. Source
Record Oil Production: U.S. oil production reached an all-time high under Trump, making the U.S. less dependent on Middle Eastern oil. Source
Trump Healthcare Accomplishments
Healthcare Accomplishments
Right to Try Legislation: Trump signed the “Right to Try” law, expanding access to experimental treatments for terminally ill patients. Source
Free Speech and Religious Liberty Executive Order: In 2017, Trump issued an executive order promoting free speech and religious liberty, helping faith-based groups provide healthcare coverage to 13.7 million Americans. Source
FindTreatment.gov: The administration launched FindTreatment.gov, a public resource to combat substance abuse. Source
HIV Prevention Drugs for Uninsured Patients: Trump’s administration provided HIV prevention drugs for free to 200,000 uninsured patients per year for 11 years. Source
Lowering Drug Costs: On July 24, 2020, Trump signed orders lowering drug costs by requiring community health centers to pass insulin and EpiPen discounts directly to patients, allowing drug imports from Canada, and preventing pharmacy benefit managers from pocketing discounts. Source
Healthcare Price Transparency: Trump signed an executive order forcing healthcare providers to disclose costs upfront, allowing Americans to compare prices. Source
Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act: In 2018, Trump signed this act, making gag orders illegal, allowing pharmacists to disclose cost-saving options for prescriptions. Source
Rising Life Expectancy: U.S. life expectancy slightly increased in 2018, reversing a four-year decline driven by the opioid epidemic. Source
Advancing American Kidney Health: Trump’s executive order aimed to improve kidney care through preventive measures, home dialysis, and increasing kidney transplants. Source
Rural Health and Telehealth Access: Trump’s August 2020 executive order ensured Telehealth Medicare payments continue after the pandemic and directed federal agencies to improve broadband infrastructure in rural communities. Source
Supporting Law Enforcement Mental Health: Trump signed the Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis Act, expanding support services for law enforcement personnel, including suicide prevention and mental health programs. Source
Medicare Reform for Low-Income Seniors: Trump reformed Medicare to prevent hospitals from overcharging low-income seniors for their drugs. Source
Lupus Research Funding: Trump signed funding packages in 2019, providing nearly $19 million for Lupus-specific research and education, as well as $41.7 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—the most Lupus funding ever.
Trump COVID accomplishments
Health Workforce Expansion: On June 18, 2020, Trump’s administration awarded $107.2 million to expand the health workforce in underserved communities. Source
Farmers to Families Food Box Program: By June 4, 2020, over 5 million food boxes were distributed to support farmers and families affected by the coronavirus. Source
Extended Food Box Program Contracts: On June 17, 2020, the Trump administration extended contracts for the Farmers to Families Food Box Program to help fill hunger gaps across the country. Source
Free Summer Meals for Kids: On June 10, 2020, Trump’s administration extended free summer meals for kids, regardless of where they live. Source
Defense Production Act (DPA) for COVID-19 Supplies: Trump used the DPA to produce 20 million more coronavirus testing swabs monthly, as well as ramping up ventilator, mask, and supply production. Source
COVID-19 Relief Executive Orders: On August 8, 2020, Trump signed executive orders providing a $400-per-week supplemental unemployment payment, extending student loan relief, halting evictions, and offering a payroll tax holiday for Americans earning less than $100,000. Source
Operation Warp Speed: Trump’s administration spearheaded Operation Warp Speed to fast-track vaccine development, aiming for distribution in late 2020 and 2021. Source
CARES Act: Trump signed the CARES Act, providing financial support for laid-off workers to help them cover essential expenses during the pandemic. Source
China Travel Ban: Trump imposed the China travel ban before the first coronavirus case spread within the U.S. Source
Trump Opioid Epidemic and Drug Crisis Accomplishments
Opioid Abuse Initiative: Trump launched an initiative to stop opioid abuse and reduce drug supply and demand, introducing new measures to confront the crisis. Source
SUPPORT Act: Trump signed the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, the largest legislative package addressing a single drug crisis in history, which includes addiction medicine education. Source
Funding for Opioid Epidemic: Trump secured a record $6 billion in funding to combat the opioid epidemic. Source
Reduced Opioid Prescriptions: High-dose opioid prescriptions were reduced by 16% during Trump’s first year in office. Source
Safer Prescribing Plan: Trump implemented a plan to cut opioid prescription fills by one-third within three years. Source
Decrease in Overdose Deaths: In 2018, drug overdose deaths fell for the first time in 28 years, decreasing by 4.1% compared to 2017. Source
VA Opioid Reduction: The Department of Veterans Affairs reduced opioid prescriptions by 64% within the VA healthcare system. Source
Trump Human Trafficking Accomplishments
Frederick Douglass Act and Abolish Human Trafficking Act: Trump signed legislation authorizing $430 million to fight sex and labor trafficking, while strengthening survivor support programs. Source
Executive Order on Transnational Trafficking: In 2017, Trump signed an executive order targeting transnational criminal organizations engaged in human trafficking. Source
$35 Million for Trafficking Survivors: Trump provided $35 million in grants to aid human trafficking survivors, offering transitional housing, rent, utilities, and other support. Source
Southern Border Wall and Human Trafficking: The nearly 300-mile southern border wall contributed to a decrease in human trafficking and illegal crossings. Source
Executive Order on Human Trafficking and Online Child Exploitation: Trump’s order directed a focus on combating human trafficking through federal coordination and improved data tracking. Source
Trump Environmental Accomplishments
Save Our Seas Act: Trump signed the Save Our Seas Act in 2018, providing $10 million to reduce ocean debris and support marine debris response efforts. Source
Great American Outdoors Act: Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act, securing $900 million annually for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Source
1.3 Million Acres of New Wilderness: Trump signed legislation designating 1.3 million new acres of wilderness, the largest public lands legislation in a decade. Source
Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction: U.S. greenhouse gas emissions fell by 2.1% in 2019 under Trump’s presidency. Source
Emissions Reduction in Power Generation: Emissions from electric power generation dropped by 10% in 2019 due to a switch from coal to natural gas and renewables. Source
Affordable Clean Energy Rule: Trump proposed the Affordable Clean Energy Rule to reduce greenhouse gases, empower states, and promote energy independence and job creation. Source
Superfund Task Force: Trump created a Superfund task force to streamline and improve the cleanup of toxic sites. Source
Superfund Site Cleanups: Under Trump, the EPA deleted 82 Superfund sites from the National Priorities List, a significant increase in cleanups compared to previous years. Source
Trump Foreign Policy Accomplishments
Middle East
No New Foreign Wars: Trump’s administration did not involve the U.S. in any new foreign wars.
Defeating ISIS: Trump defeated ISIS’ territorial caliphate and announced the return of American troops from Syria. Source
Killing Baghdadi: Trump ordered the successful operation that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, a top national security priority, in 2019. Source
Soleimani Killing: Trump ordered the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, who was responsible for hundreds of American deaths during the Iraq war. Source
NATO Contributions: Trump pushed NATO allies to increase their defense spending, leading to billions more in contributions. Source
Israel and The Abraham Accords
Jerusalem Recognition: Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moved the U.S. embassy there. Source
Israel-Bahrain Peace Deal: Trump brokered the peace deal between Israel and Bahrain, normalizing relations. Source
Israel-UAE Peace Deal: Trump and Jared Kushner negotiated a historic peace agreement between Israel and the UAE. Source
Israeli-Palestinian Peace Plan: Trump unveiled the “Peace to Prosperity” plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Source
Opposition to UN Resolution 2334: Trump opposed the UN resolution that deemed Israeli settlements illegal. Source
Taylor Force Act: Trump signed the law halting U.S. aid to any Palestinian entity that financially rewards terrorists. Source
Golan Heights Recognition: Trump recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Source
Sudan Normalizing Ties with Israel: Under Trump’s leadership, Sudan agreed to normalize relations with Israel, becoming the third Arab state to do so. Source
Settlement Policy Change: The U.S. under Trump declared that Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria are not necessarily illegal. Source
Israel-Morocco Relations: Israel and Morocco normalized relations under Trump, marking the fourth Arab-Israeli agreement in four months. Source
Everything Else Foreign
UN Budget Cuts: Trump advocated for cuts in wasteful UN spending, resulting in hundreds of millions in budget reductions. Source
Tough on Russia: Trump took action against Russia’s malign activities, including efforts to undermine U.S. elections. Source
Sanctions on Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua: Trump imposed strong sanctions on the corrupt regimes in these countries. Source
Lobbying Ban: Trump fulfilled his promise to "drain the swamp" by banning administration officials from lobbying the U.S. government on behalf of foreign entities. Source
Release of American Citizens Abroad: Trump secured the release of multiple Americans held abroad, including Pastor Andrew Brunson and Josh Holt. Source
Guantanamo Bay Remains Open: Trump signed an executive order to keep the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay open to detain terrorists. Source
Hostages Freed: Trump successfully negotiated the release of over a dozen U.S. hostages, including those Obama could not secure. Source
Kosovo Award: Kosovo awarded Trump the Order of Freedom for his role in securing a deal with Serbia. Source
5G Clean Network Initiative: Trump signed agreements with Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Kosovo to safeguard their 5G networks from Chinese influence. Source
Global Clean Network Initiative: Trump launched the Clean Network initiative to promote global data privacy, security, and collaboration in communication networks. Source
Reformed U.S.-China Trade: Imposed tariffs on China to address unfair trade practices.
Trump Domestic Accomplishments
Career and Technical Education Act Reauthorization: Trump signed legislation reauthorizing the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, making over $1 billion available for career education programs. Source
Executive Branch Reorganization Plan: Trump’s administration submitted a plan to reorganize the executive branch to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Source
Donating Salary: Trump donated his salary each quarter, fulfilling his promise to the American people. Source
Space Force Established: Trump officially established the U.S. Space Force, the sixth branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Source
Michigan Disaster Declaration: Trump approved a Major Disaster Declaration, providing over $43 million in federal funding to aid Michigan’s recovery from a dam break. Source
9/11 Memorial Funding: Trump allocated $2 million in federal funding for the 9/11 memorial and museum in New York City. Source
9/11 Victims Compensation Fund: Trump signed the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund into law. Source
PACT Act: Trump signed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, making animal abuse a federal felony and increasing penalties for offenders. Source
Cybersecurity Executive Order: Trump signed an executive order to strengthen the cybersecurity of federal networks and critical infrastructure. Source
Vanessa Guillen Case: Trump got the DOJ and FBI involved in the Vanessa Guillen case and offered to help financially with her funeral. Source
Science Advisory Council: Trump reestablished the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). Source
Kenosha and Wisconsin Public Safety Funding: Trump gave over $42 million to support public safety in Wisconsin and $1 million to Kenosha law enforcement following riots. Source
Rural Water Infrastructure: Trump’s U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) committed $124 million to rebuilding rural water infrastructure. Source
Music Modernization Act: Trump signed the Music Modernization Act, introducing the biggest change to copyright law in decades. Source
Better under Trump: A Gallup poll found that the majority of Americans believe they are better off now under the Trump administration than they were four years ago. Source
Appointment of Conservative Judges: He appointed three conservative justices to the Supreme Court and over 200 federal judges.
Defunding Sanctuary Cities: Trump cut federal funding to sanctuary cities that refused to cooperate with immigration enforcement. Source
Deportation of Criminal Aliens: Deported hundreds of thousands of criminal aliens who were illegally residing in the U.S.
Trump vs Biden Border Statistics
Since January 2021, at least 1.6 million known "gotaways"—migrants who entered the U.S. illegally without being apprehended—have been reported.
These "gotaways" are individuals who evade detection, often captured on camera or tracked through physical signs left in border areas. The majority are single adults, many with criminal records, actively avoiding capture by Border Patrol agents.
These figures are considered estimates, and the true number of gotaways is likely higher, as acknowledged by officials. Former Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz suggested the actual numbers could be underreported by 10-20%.
Statistic | Trump Administration (2017-2020) | Biden Administration (2021-Present) |
---|---|---|
Annual Border Encounters | 458,000 to 977,000 | 1.6 million to 2.7 million |
Annual Deportations | 275,000 (average) | 59,000 (2021), 72,000 (2022) |
Annual Asylum Applications | 116,000 (average) | 190,000 (2021), 207,000 (2022) |
Encounters, Deportations, and Asylum Requests
Year | Border Encounters | Deportations | Asylum Applications |
---|---|---|---|
Trump Administration | |||
2017 | 310,531 | 295,364 | 143,000 |
2018 | 521,090 | 256,085 | 161,000 |
2019 | 977,509 | 267,258 | 142,000 |
2020 | 458,088 | 185,884 | 106,000 |
Biden Administration | |||
2021 | 1,734,686 | 59,011 | 190,000 |
2022 | 2,378,944 | 72,177 | 207,000 |
2023 | 3,200,000 | Data not available | Data not available |
Trump Accomplishments FAQ
Q: Did Trump start any new foreign wars during his administration?
A: No, Trump’s administration did not involve the U.S. in any new foreign wars.
Q: What was the African American unemployment rate under Trump?
A: The national unemployment rate for African Americans hit a record low of 5.4%.
Q: Did Trump provide permanent funding for HBCUs?
A: Yes, Trump signed the FUTURE Act, providing $25 million/year in permanent funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Q: What was the lowest unemployment rate for Hispanic Americans under Trump?
A: Hispanic American unemployment dropped to a record low of 3.9%.
Q: How many openly gay ambassadors did Trump appoint?
A: Trump appointed 5 openly gay ambassadors, the highest in U.S. history.
Q: What steps did Trump take to address violence against Native Americans?
A: Trump signed an executive order establishing the Task Force on Missing and Murdered Native Americans to address high rates of violence in indigenous communities.
Q: What was the lowest unemployment rate for women during Trump’s presidency?
A: The unemployment rate for women dropped to 3.4%, the lowest in 65 years.
Q: Did Trump secure a military pay raise?
A: Yes, Trump secured a 3% military pay raise, the largest in nearly a decade.
Q: How did real wages grow under Trump?
A: Real wages increased by 7% during Trump’s first three years, the highest since the 1970s.
Q: What did Trump do to fast-track COVID-19 vaccine development?
A: Trump spearheaded Operation Warp Speed, fast-tracking vaccine development during the pandemic.
Q: How did Trump impact the fight against ISIS?
A: Trump led the defeat of ISIS's territorial caliphate and oversaw the killing of its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.