I asked ChatGPT 4.0 to list the successes of Donald Trump’s Presidency & Kamala Harris’ Vice Presidency. This is the result.
I have tried to be fair in providing links to sources that either show the Act or Law that is associated with them or articles that explain the implementation of their policy.
Please remember these lists are based on things accomplished while in office and have not taken into consideration future policy. I removed anything I felt was about identity politics on both sides of the aisle. Also, note that I did not include Kamala’s California record but might at a later time or in a different article. Finally, much of Kamala’s record here is in the capacity of Vice-President and is more reflective of the Biden administration and Democratic Party.
Economic:
- Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017): Major tax reform legislation that lowered corporate tax rates from 35% to 21% and provided individual tax cuts.
- Deregulation: Enacted significant deregulation efforts aimed at reducing government intervention in business.
- Stock Market: The stock market saw significant gains during much of his presidency, with major indices reaching record highs.
- Unemployment: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment rates reached historic lows, including record-low unemployment rates for African Americans, Hispanics, and women.
Foreign Policy:
- Middle East Peace: Facilitated the Abraham Accords, leading to normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.
- ISIS: Implemented strategies that led to the territorial defeat of ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
- North Korea: Engaged in unprecedented direct diplomacy with North Korea, including summits with Kim Jong-un.
Trade Policies:
- USMCA: Renegotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) into the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
- China Trade Deal: Initiated tariffs and negotiated the Phase One trade deal with China aimed at reducing the trade deficit and addressing intellectual property theft.
Judicial Appointments:
- Supreme Court Justices: Appointed three Supreme Court Justices – Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett.
- Federal Judges: Appointed over 200 federal judges, reshaping the federal judiciary.
Domestic Policy:
- Criminal Justice Reform: Signed the First Step Act, aimed at criminal justice reform, including reducing mandatory minimum sentences for certain non-violent offenders.
- Veterans Affairs: Passed the VA MISSION Act to improve healthcare for veterans and allow them more access to private healthcare options.
Energy Policies:
- Energy Independence: Promoted policies that led to the United States becoming a net exporter of oil and achieving energy independence.
- Pipeline Projects: Approved the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines.
- Carbon Emissions Lowered: U.S. carbon emissions hit 25 year low. Implementation of Affordable Clean Energy rule (ACE).
Health and Education:
- Drug Prices: Implemented policies aimed at reducing prescription drug prices, including allowing states to import cheaper drugs from Canada.
- Right to Try Act: Signed the Right to Try Act, allowing terminally ill patients access to experimental treatments not yet approved by the FDA.
- Passed Legislation to Increase funding of HBCUs: Increased annual funding by $255 million to HBCUs.
- School Choice: Advocated for school choice and expanded funding for charter schools and voucher programs.
Immigration:
- Border Security: Prioritized building a wall along the southern border and implementing stricter immigration enforcement policies.
- Travel Ban: Implemented a travel ban on several countries deemed security risks.
COVID-19 Response:
- Operation Warp Speed: Initiated Operation Warp Speed, a public-private partnership to accelerate the development, manufacturing, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, which led to the rapid development and distribution of vaccines.
Economic:
- Small Business Support: Promoted initiatives to support small businesses, particularly those owned by women and minorities, through programs such as the Small Business Administration’s efforts to provide loans and resources.
- Workforce Development: Advocated for workforce development programs aimed at equipping workers with skills needed for the evolving job market, including support for job training and apprenticeship programs.
Diplomacy:
- International Relations: Conducted diplomatic visits and engagements with various countries to strengthen international relations, including trips to Guatemala and Mexico to address the root causes of migration.
Policy Advocacy:
- Infrastructure Bill: Supported the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which aims to improve the nation’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges, public transit, and broadband access.
Legal
Advocacy:
- Voting Rights Advocacy: Actively advocated for voting rights legislation, including the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the For the People Act, aimed at protecting and expanding voting rights.
- Criminal Justice Reform: Continued to support and promote criminal justice reform initiatives, building on her background as a former prosecutor and advocate for justice system improvements.
Climate and Environmental Initiatives:
- Climate Action: Supported the Biden administration’s climate agenda, including rejoining the Paris Agreement and advocating for policies to address climate change and promote clean energy.
- Environmental Justice: Promoted environmental justice initiatives aimed at addressing the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on marginalized communities.
Health and Education:
- Maternal Health: Launched initiatives focused on improving maternal health outcomes, particularly for women of color, through programs addressing healthcare access and quality.
- Educational Equity: Advocated for policies to improve educational equity, including support for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions.
Immigration:
- Root Causes of Migration: Tasked with addressing the root causes of migration from Central America, she has engaged in diplomatic efforts and proposed initiatives to improve conditions in countries such as El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
COVID-19 Response:
COVID-19 Relief Efforts: Played a key role in advocating for the American Rescue Plan Act, which provided economic relief to Americans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including direct payments, extended unemployment benefits, and support for small businesses.
Who Should You Vote For?
I finished by asking ChatGPT 4.0 who people should vote for based on the previous lists and this was its answer:
Determining who to vote for is a personal decision that should be based on your values, priorities, and assessment of each candidate’s policies and performance.
Considerations:
- Policy Alignment: Assess which candidate’s policies align more closely with your personal values and the issues you care about most.
- Track Record: Consider the effectiveness and impact of each candidate’s actions during their time in office.
- Future Plans: Evaluate the proposed future policies and initiatives of each candidate and how they might affect the country and your community.
It’s important to stay informed about the candidates and their platforms, and to consider both their achievements and shortcomings. Engaging with a variety of news sources and participating in discussions can also provide a broader perspective. Ultimately, your vote should reflect your informed judgment about who will best serve the needs and interests of the country.
Points Expanded
Stock Market Achievements Prior to Covid Sell Off
During Donald Trump’s presidency, the U.S. stock market experienced significant growth, setting multiple records before the COVID-19 pandemic affected global markets. Here’s an overview of stock market performance during Trump’s term up until early 2020:
- Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA)
- The DJIA rose from around 18,000 points in January 2017 to over 29,000 points in February 2020, marking a significant increase of about 60%.
- Notable records:
- The DJIA reached 20,000 points for the first time on January 25, 2017.
- It crossed 25,000 points on January 4, 2018.
- It surpassed 29,000 points on January 15, 2020.
- S&P 500
- The S&P 500 index increased from around 2,270 points in January 2017 to over 3,380 points in February 2020, representing a gain of nearly 50%.
- Notable records:
- The S&P 500 reached 2,500 points for the first time on September 15, 2017.
- It crossed 3,000 points on July 10, 2019.
- NASDAQ Composite
- The NASDAQ Composite climbed from approximately 5,000 points in January 2017 to over 9,800 points in February 2020, which is an increase of nearly 100%.
- Notable records:
- The NASDAQ crossed 7,000 points on January 2, 2018.
- It surpassed 9,000 points on December 26, 2019.
The market was driven by factors such as tax cuts, deregulation, and strong corporate earnings. The period before the COVID-19 pandemic was marked by robust economic growth, low unemployment, and rising consumer confidence, which contributed to the bullish sentiment in the stock market.
Unemployment Rates Prior to the COVID Anomaly
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the unemployment rate in the United States experienced a significant decline during Donald Trump’s presidency. Here’s an overview of the unemployment rate from January 2017 to February 2020:
- January 2017: The unemployment rate was 4.7% when Trump took office.
- Throughout 2017: The rate steadily decreased, reaching 4.1% by the end of the year.
- 2018: Continued to decline, hitting 3.7% by September and remaining at or near that level for the rest of the year.
- 2019: The unemployment rate hovered between 3.5% and 3.7%, with the lowest being 3.5% in September, November, and December.
- January and February 2020: The rate remained at 3.5%, the lowest level in about 50 years.
These figures indicate a robust labor market, characterized by job growth across various sectors, increased workforce participation, and rising wages. The low unemployment rates during this period were seen as a significant achievement of the Trump administration’s economic policies.