Trump’s chaotic first 100 days — as seen through his tweets
Shortly after his victory in the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump said he wasn’t sure how much he’d use Twitter once he got to the White House.
“I’m going to be very restrained, if I use it at all,” Trump told CBS’ “60 Minutes” in a November interview.
As the president approaches his first 100 days in office, that vow appears to have fallen short.
Through Wednesday, Trump’s 97th day as commander in chief, he has issued 501 tweets or retweets on his personal Twitter feed — an average of roughly five tweets per day, including weekends. That figure doesn’t include the 488 tweets or retweets that have been published on the verified @POTUS Twitter feed, which Trump inherited from former President Barack Obama on Jan. 20, when he took office. (Many of those are either retweets of @realDonaldTrump or messages identical to the ones published on the president’s personal Twitter.)
And as was the case during his presidential campaign, @realDonaldTrump has often been combative, using the social media platform to spar with critics, float conspiracies and pick battles with foreign adversaries. But now, his tweets have the power of the U.S. presidency behind them.
“THANK YOU for another wonderful evening in Washington, D.C.,” Trump tweeted on Day 1, following the inaugural festivities. “TOGETHER, we will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
THANK YOU for another wonderful evening in Washington, D.C. TOGETHER, we will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN???????? pic.twitter.com/V3aoj9RUh4
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2017
The unifying tone lasted about 48 hours.
“Watched protests yesterday but was under the impression that we just had an election!” Trump tweeted following the Women’s March. “Why didn’t these people vote? Celebs hurt cause badly.”
Watched protests yesterday but was under the impression that we just had an election! Why didn't these people vote? Celebs hurt cause badly.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2017
Peaceful protests are a hallmark of our democracy. Even if I don't always agree, I recognize the rights of people to express their views.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2017
On Day 7, Trump engaged in some Twitter diplomacy, saying, “If Mexico is unwilling to pay” for his promised wall along the U.S. southern border, “then it would be better to cancel” a planned meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pe?a Nieto.
of jobs and companies lost. If Mexico is unwilling to pay for the badly needed wall, then it would be better to cancel the upcoming meeting.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2017
Nieto’s tweeted response: Meeting canceled.
Esta ma?ana hemos informado a la Casa Blanca que no asistiré a la reunión de trabajo programada para el próximo martes con el @POTUS.
— Enrique Pe?a Nieto (@EPN) January 26, 2017
In late January, Trump took to Twitter to defend his executive order temporarily banning immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries — and blasted its critics, including Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham.
Our country needs strong borders and extreme vetting, NOW. Look what is happening all over Europe and, indeed, the world – a horrible mess!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2017
The joint statement of former presidential candidates John McCain & Lindsey Graham is wrong – they are sadly weak on immigration. The two…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2017
…Senators should focus their energies on ISIS, illegal immigration and border security instead of always looking to start World War III.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2017
Statement Regarding Recent Executive Order Concerning Extreme Vetting: https://t.co/f6JO60I0Ul
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2017
Only 109 people out of 325,000 were detained and held for questioning. Big problems at airports were caused by Delta computer outage,…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2017
protesters and the tears of Senator Schumer. Secretary Kelly said that all is going well with very few problems. MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2017
There is nothing nice about searching for terrorists before they can enter our country. This was a big part of my campaign. Study the world!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2017
If the ban were announced with a one week notice, the "bad" would rush into our country during that week. A lot of bad "dudes" out there!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2017
Twelve minutes his “bad ‘dudes'” warning, the former “Celebrity Apprentice” star tweeted that he would announce his nominee for the Supreme Court from the White House during a live primetime event. (Trump’s pick, Neil Gorsuch, was confirmed by the Senate in a controversial vote on April 7.)
I have made my decision on who I will nominate for The United States Supreme Court. It will be announced live on Tuesday at 8:00 P.M. (W.H.)
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2017
On Feb. 4, after a federal judge ordered the suspension of Trump’s travel ban, Trump ripped “the opinion of this so-called judge” and vowed that the ruling would be overturned.
The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2017
He also fumed about polls that showed a majority of Americans opposed his travel ban.
“Any negative polls are fake news,” Trump tweeted. “Sorry, people want border security and extreme vetting.”
Any negative polls are fake news, just like the CNN, ABC, NBC polls in the election. Sorry, people want border security and extreme vetting.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 6, 2017
On Day 20, Trump weighed in on the decision by Nordstrom to drop first daughter Ivanka Trump’s clothing line.
My daughter Ivanka has been treated so unfairly by @Nordstrom. She is a great person — always pushing me to do the right thing! Terrible!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2017
On Day 29, Trump sparked yet another firestorm by declaring that national media outlets, including the New York Times, NBC and CNN, were the “enemy of the American People!”
The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American People!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 17, 2017
In March, Trump gave his 28 million Twitter followers several updates on the Republican plan to repeal and replace Obamacare.
We are making great progress with healthcare. ObamaCare is imploding and will only get worse. Republicans coming together to get job done!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 11, 2017
Big day for healthcare. Working hard!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 22, 2017
Two days later, the plan was abruptly pulled before a scheduled House vote as Trump failed to rally enough Republican support for it.
On Day 44 — coincidentally the number of his predecessor — President Trump issued his most controversial tweet to date, claiming without evidence that Obama had wiretapped his phones inside Trump Tower before the election.
Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my "wires tapped" in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2017
The White House then called for a congressional investigation into the matter. Now, more than 50 days later, the administration has yet to publicly provide any evidence of Trump’s charge.
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Read more from Yahoo News’ coverage of Trump’s first 100 days:
What Trump has done for, and to, the environment in his first 100 days
The Ever-Trumpers: Revisiting his backers from 2016, we find they still like him
Fact check: The White House’s claims about Trump’s first 100 days
The contrarians: They didn’t vote for Trump, but they would now
Trump foreign policy at 100 days: The downside of unpredictability
Twitter, Mar-a-Lago and Obama bashing: The 45th president’s 100 days of norm-busting
Photos: From inauguration to 100th day — President Trump’s rocky ride in pictures
Photos: From crude to creative: 100 Days of Trump signs wielded by fans and foes