The world upended: Trump’s first 50 days in power

In a whirlwind start, the new US president has shaken America’s executive branch, European security, the liberal international order and global economics. Chatham House experts analyse the impact – and what comes next.

The World Today Published 10 March 2025 Updated 11 March 2025 6 minute READ

America’s new rules: Old order rocked – can it respond?

Trump’s first term saw chaos in his cabinet, a wall on the southern border that was never built, and an ‘infrastructure week’ that never arrived. This time, Trump’s administration is loyal, prepared and executing. The momentum behind Trump’s policy agenda has taken almost everyone by surprise.   

With the president’s blessing, the Department of Government Efficiency has shaken the foundations of the executive branch. America’s commitment to foreign assistance vanished as DOGE shut down USAID. Elon Musk’s teams are now hard at work in the Pentagon, the State Department and the intelligence agencies. 

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