Donald Trump makes major mistake within hours of being president

It seems Donald Trump has already stumbled during the early days of his second term as President of the United States, having been sworn in as the 47th president earlier this week.
At 78, the Republican leader wasted no time in taking action, signing a series of executive orders immediately following Monday’s inauguration. His early measures included withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization (WHO), proposing changes to birthright citizenship, and delaying the controversial TikTok ban. For context, an executive order allows the president to issue formal directives to the federal government with legal weight, bypassing congressional approval.
However, Trump’s ambitious start was overshadowed by a significant blunder during his first press briefing. While addressing a reporter’s question about NATO members—including Spain—failing to meet the defense spending target of 2% of GDP, Trump made a glaring error.
“Spain is very low. They’re a BRICS nation, Spain. Do you know what a BRICS nation is? You’ll figure it out,” Trump stated.
The problem? Spain is not a BRICS nation. BRICS is an organization representing a group of developing economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and recently added members like Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the UAE. Spain, a NATO member for over 40 years, is not part of this coalition.
The Spanish government quickly responded. Minister Pilar Alegría clarified, “I don’t know if President Trump’s statement was the result of a mix-up, but I can confirm that Spain is not in BRICS.” She also reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to NATO and its alliance with the U.S., despite lagging behind on defense spending.
Trump doubled down on his comments by announcing plans to impose tariffs of at least 100% on BRICS nations, a move that would effectively dismantle decades of free trade agreements with these countries.
Key Policy Moves in Trump’s Early Presidency
While the press briefing drew attention for the wrong reasons, Trump’s policy announcements have set the tone for his second term. Below are the highlights:
1. Reproductive Rights
Trump has largely left abortion policies to the states but has hinted at taking stricter measures. Experts worry his administration could pursue more aggressive anti-abortion actions in courts and through federal policy.
2. Gender Policies
In his inaugural address, Trump declared: “As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.” He followed this by signing an executive order banning gender changes on federal documents and repealing protections against gender identity and sexual orientation discrimination implemented under Biden.
3. Immigration Policies
Trump renewed his promise to end illegal immigration, declaring a national emergency at the southern border. He also proposed ending birthright citizenship, a move that would require substantial legal challenges to overturn the 14th Amendment.
4. Greenland Acquisition Revival
Trump resurrected his controversial idea of purchasing Greenland from Denmark, citing its strategic importance. Greenland’s Prime Minister reiterated the island is not for sale.
5. Pardons for January 6 Participants
Trump has pardoned 1,500 individuals involved in the Capitol riots, stating: “I am inclined to pardon many of them. A couple of them, probably they got out of control.”
6. TikTok Ban Paused
The TikTok ban, initially announced with much fanfare, was reversed within hours. Trump has given the app 90 days to find a U.S.-based buyer.
7. Declassification of Government Files
Trump has pledged to release classified records related to the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK, sparking backlash from security officials but winning support from transparency advocates.
8. Electric Vehicle Rollback
Trump plans to reverse Biden’s executive order mandating that 50% of vehicles sold by 2030 be electric. He argued the policy was “not legally binding” and said Americans should have the freedom to “buy the car of your choice.”
9. Green Cards for College Graduates
Trump announced plans to grant green cards to top-performing international students graduating from U.S. universities, stating, “If somebody graduates at the top of the class, they should stay in the country and contribute to our economy.”
Final Thoughts
Trump’s second term has begun with a mix of bold actions and early controversies. While his sweeping executive orders have energized his base, missteps like the BRICS comment raise questions about his readiness to navigate the complexities of global diplomacy. Whether these initial moves will define his presidency or serve as growing pains remains to be seen.