# Trump haters only: what were his accomplishments? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [December 10, 2020, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735 "2020-12-10T08:19:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/21 "2020-12-10T14:25:25Z")
His achievements were in spite of him, not because of him. Even when he had a real opportunity to radically transform US foreign policy in a good way (diplomatic talks with North Korea), it was just a pathetic attempt to boost his ego. There was never any strategy behind it, which is a shame. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/22 "2020-12-10T14:30:46Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > Even when he had a real opportunity to radically transform US foreign policy in a good way (diplomatic talks with North Korea) The Korean thing was a win for Korea, not for the US. Any leader in the past _could_ have met with the regime, it was not that Korea didn’t want a meeting of that sort. It was that we would not have that meeting without them giving us something first. Trump gave them all they wanted, and got nothing in return. So, I guess it depends on where you are coming from. From a Korean perspective, that’s an accomplishment. From a US perspective, that was an abject failure. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/23 "2020-12-10T14:34:15Z")
North Korea wants us to accept them as a nuclear power, which is fine by me. I am on record as being of the mind that US foreign policy of insisting upon nuclear dominance is unrealistic and we should be willing to show some flexibility. We could encourage states like North Korea to roll back or strictly limit the number of arms they have and open their facilities up to inspections - that would be a realistic win. I thought Trump had the opportunity to break the mold, but again, there was no strategy; it was to pump up his ego and be photographed with other tough guy leaders. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/24 "2020-12-10T14:39:17Z")
Taft also never served in the military or elective office before being president. He was in the cabinet and was appointed governor of the Phillippines. He declared himself governor of Cuba for a few weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/25 "2020-12-10T14:52:06Z")
He possibly brought some stability to the Middle East. But since there is only a limited quantity of stability available, he borrowed some from Russia, North Korea, Syria, Turkey, the EU, Canada and general stores. Some previous presidents were snobbish about food - Trump had the great courage to eat KFC and serve Whoppers. Previous presidents often showed humanity by having a dog or two. Trump had the great courage to use this as an insult while saving money on pet snacks. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/26 "2020-12-10T14:56:55Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Taft also never served in the military or elective office before being president. He was in the cabinet and was appointed governor of the Phillippines. He declared himself governor of Cuba for a few weeks. I’d go so far as to say that a cabinet post - at least, one of the senior ones - is better preparation for serving a President than any elected office. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/27 "2020-12-10T15:00:04Z")
> [@stuccosuperstar2020](#): > > —Operation Warp Speed. Trump and Pence, in the debates, promised he would deliver a COVID vaccine by the end of the year. We can question what he did to make this happen more than any other President, but the fact is under his watch, it will be shortly delivered to our shores, even if not everyone is going to get it right away. I’m not sure what this program had to do with getting the vaccine to us quicker. I know that was the goal, but it it responsible? Other countries got the vaccine at the same time or sooner than we will. These are multi-national drug companies. Did they get any actual help from the US government? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/28 "2020-12-10T15:08:27Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I’d go so far as to say that a cabinet post - at least, one of the senior ones - is better preparation for serving a President than any elected office. I’d say a Governor would be similar though down in scale. Further down would be Mayor of a major city. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/29 "2020-12-10T15:10:52Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Taft also never served in the military or elective office before being president. Per [wiki](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Howard_Taft), Taft _“was appointed to a vacancy on the Superior Court of Cincinnati by Governor Joseph B. Foraker. The appointment was good for just over a year, after which he would have to face the voters, and in April 1888, he sought election for the first of three times in his lifetime, the other two being for the presidency. He was elected to a full five-year term.“_ ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/30 "2020-12-10T15:13:47Z")
> [@stuccosuperstar2020](#): > > —Operation Warp Speed. Trump and Pence, in the debates, promised he would deliver a COVID vaccine by the end of the year. We can question what he did to make this happen more than any other President, but the fact is under his watch, it will be shortly delivered to our shores, even if not everyone is going to get it right away. This is a prediction, not an accomplishment. He had nothing at all to do with this actually happening. If he promised the Lakers would win the NBA title would that be considered an accomplishment for him also? To answer your question I can’t honestly say he has accomplished anything, but I did strongly agree with him on [this](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/17/us/politics/trump-china-shipping.html) attempt. Clearly it has not happened yet as the issue continues, but at least he tried. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/31 "2020-12-10T15:23:23Z")
I am not the OP, but I don’t think sarcastic replies fit the vein of what the OP was asking for. Maybe mods can keep this thread on the straight and narrow? Anyway, I would say: For a few years, Trump managed to keep a hot economy going, until the last year. He mostly stayed out of wars. He took a baby step towards prison/justice reform, although we still need a mile. There was a peace deal between the UAE and Israel. North America was awarded the 2026 World Cup. A 5-nm chip foundry will be built in Arizona soon. He took a baby step towards more transparency in healthcare. Whether one considers this good or not, Trump and McConnell got judges onto the courts with extreme efficiency. al-Baghdadi was killed. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/32 "2020-12-10T15:23:46Z")
He didn’t start any wars. That’s actually a nice change of pace. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/33 "2020-12-10T15:29:14Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > {…} He has put Slovakia on the map (or was it Slovenia? 🤔) {…} He, well his staff, took _Niger_ off the map. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/34 "2020-12-10T15:44:54Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I am not the OP, but I don’t think sarcastic replies fit the vein of what the OP was asking for. Maybe mods can keep this thread on the straight and narrow? It _is_ asking specifically for Trump haters, I don’t know that some level of sarcasm can be entirely avoided. Very different from asking for Trump supporters and then those who dislike Trump making sarcastic remarks. In any case, my contribution was not sarcastic at all, and I’ll add in another one. The Obama department of labor changed the rules for exempt employees, one of the big changes was to increase the amount of compensation for those employees to over $47,000. As someone who was for a while an abused exempt employee, I don’t disagree that it should have been raised from its prior $23,000, but I would have thought a more gradual rollout would have been better. The Trump admin rescinded that rule change, which I think actually was for the best. I knew a whole lot of exempt employees that were at risk of losing their jobs, or having their wages decreased due to it. As I said, I think that $23,000 is a bit on the low side, but raising it up to $30,000 or so, and maybe getting it into the 40’s over the next few years would have been acceptable. Forcing millions of companies to completely restructure their management system overnight was not a wise idea, IMHO. So, while I would have preferred that the Trump admin change the rules to a more gradual increase, rather than simply rescinding them, I do think that rescinding it _was_ a positive over the prior rule. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/35 "2020-12-10T15:49:27Z")
My reply was dead serious, not sarcastic. Getting the GOP to show its true face is a good thing in the long run. ---
**Author:** ![mattgg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@mattgg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mattgg)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/36 "2020-12-10T15:57:07Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’m not sure what this program had to do with getting the vaccine to us quicker. I know that was the goal, but it it responsible? Other countries got the vaccine at the same time or sooner than we will. These are multi-national drug companies. Did they get any actual help from the US government? The help they got was a guaranteed buyer for their vaccines. Pfizer was guaranteed $1.95 billion for delivering 100 million doses of a safe, effective vaccine. The government also had the option to secure up to an additional 500 million doses, but Trump’s administration passed on that and those doses will be going to other countries. As far as I can tell, the government provided no material help in the development of the vaccines. They apparently will help in the packaging but not in the manufacturing of the vaccines. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/37 "2020-12-10T16:08:19Z")
> [@mattgg](#): > > As far as I can tell, the government provided no material help in the development of the vaccines. From [Wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Warp_Speed): > As of August 2020, eight companies were chosen for funding of some $11 billion to expedite development and preparation for manufacturing their respective vaccine candidates. This money came from the CARES act. Would you consider this material help? ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/38 "2020-12-10T16:11:49Z")
I will give him (accidental) credit for standing up to Chinese tech companies that use their tech to spy on NATO countries. E.g. Huawei. I have no beef with Chinese companies, but if they’re basically a subsidiary of Chinese Intelligence, then we shouldn’t be doing business with them. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/39 "2020-12-10T16:13:15Z")
Another key element of the COVID 19 vaccine program was that companies are being paid to manufacture the vaccine even before the clinical trials are completed. There is a possibility that the government will end up paying to produce a vaccine that doesn’t work. But the upside is that if the vaccines end up being safe and effective (and that appears to be the case), then millions of doses will be ready as soon as the vaccine is approved. Maybe any administration would have done the same thing, but still a small hat tip to Trump for approving it. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735/40 "2020-12-10T16:16:43Z")
He replaced some fencing on the Mexican border. Mexico, so far as I can tell, did not pay for any of it. He made up some of the tax cuts he imposed by making us pay tariffs on Chinese-made goods. He redesigned the paint jobs on the new Presidential jets. He gave me 1200 bucks I didn’t expect (or was that Congress?) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-haters-only-what-were-his-accomplishments/927735.md?page=3)