Dear readers, it is officially the last Sunday of the first month of the year!
And what a week it has been for our American friends, as it marked the beginning of a new era with the second inauguration of Donald Trump. On January 20th, the 47th President of the United States declared it to be “the day of the freedom of the United States”.
Donald Trump wasted no time making his mark. On Monday, he signed numerous executive orders aimed at fighting immigration, boosting domestic hydrocarbon production, and repealing public policies supporting transgender rights.
Early Tuesday, Trump dismissed four government officials appointed by Joe Biden and promised that hundreds more would face the same fate in the coming days.
In the digital world, American TikTokers waved goodbye to the app and their followers. At midnight, TikTok displayed the message, “We regret that a U.S. law banning TikTok will take effect on January 19.” However, just a few hours and tears later, creators were able to reconnect with their communities as Donald Trump signed an executive order delaying Tiktok ban, receiving a 75-day reprieve in the United States, giving Tiktok creators a chance to catch their breath for a little longer!
In related news, Elon Musk, who has emerged as a prominent figure in this new U.S. political era, sparked massive controversy. He was accused of performing a Nazi salute during Trump’s inauguration ceremony, a gesture that followed ongoing allegations of antisemitism and white supremacist behavior from the X CEO. Musk used the opportunity to add fuel to the fire, adding to the uncertainty about his intentions in what many suspect to be a deliberate provocation.
On Wednesday, Trump issued a clear warning to Moscow, threatening sanctions if they refused to immediately negotiate a peace agreement with Kyiv and end the ‘ridiculous war’. This bold move signaled Trump’s intent to present himself as a man of action. Meanwhile, Russia appeared to reinforce its influence in other regions, delivering dozens of tanks and armored vehicles to Mali and reorganizing its military presence in Africa. A convoy of a hundred vehicles arrived on January 17 from Guinea, as the Russian Ministry of Defense seeks to accelerate the replacement of the Wagner Group with Africa Corps in the country, despite international and US pressure.
Overall, as the first week of Donald Trump’s second term comes to an end, it’s clear that his presidency is already shaping up to be as divisive and impactful as his first. With sweeping executive orders, bold geopolitical actions, and controversies surrounding key figures like Elon Musk, The early days of his mandate reveal a leader determined to leave no room for ambiguity about his priorities and Trump definitely sets the tone for an administration poised to stir debate both at home, and abroad.
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