The first two weeks of President Donald Trump
After just 14 days in office, the billionaire has caused quite a stir around the world
It's been two weeks since Donald Trump took the oath of office and was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. From day one, terms such as "fake news" and "alternative facts" have taken centre stage in the new administration and the billionaire has remained steadfastly in the headlines.
Here are just some of the key talking points from the past fortnight:
Inauguration crowd debacle
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The day after his inauguration, Trump claimed that up to 1.5 million people had gathered along the National Mall to see him become President.
However, the New York Times estimates that he drew a crowd about one-third the size of Barack Obama's 2009 record inauguration of 1.8 million.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer insists Trump had the "largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period" and has accused the media of using poor photographs "to minimise the enormous support". Trump's senior adviser Kellyanne Conway later suggested that Spicer simply had "alternative facts".
Women's marches around the world
A more impressive number turned out for women's marches around the world on Trump's first weekend as president. Protesters in 161 cities waved banners, shouted slogans and sported T-shirts against Trump's views on the 2010 Affordable Care Act and his misogynist behaviour.
May meets Trump
Prime Minister Theresa May became the first world leader to meet President Trump face to face last week. They discussed trade deals, Nato and how they planned to "shape the world" together – at one point even holding hands. Controversially, May also invited Trump for an official state visit to meet Queen Elizabeth, a prospect that was not welcomed by opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Executive order on immigration
One of Trump's most divisive actions so far has been to sign an executive order discontinuing visa entry from seven Muslim-majority countries for the next 90 days and halting the flow of all refugees for at least four months. It prompted protesters to return to the streets across the world. Even former president Obama spoke out against the move.
The Frederick Douglass speech
In one of the stranger Trump quotes of the last two weeks, the president praised abolitionist Frederick Douglass during a Black History Month event as "an example of somebody who has done an amazing job and is being recognised more and more, I notice". Critics questioned if Trump really knew exactly who Douglass was and if, in fact, he knew if he had died more than 120 years ago.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 3, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
What might a Trump victory mean for the global economy?
Today's Big Question A second term in office for the 'America First' administration would send shockwaves far beyond the United States' shores
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Women take center stage in campaign finale
Speed Read Harris and Trump are trading gender attacks in the final days before the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
How GOP election denial thrives in 2024
In the Spotlight Cleta Mitchell aided Donald Trump's efforts in 2020. She's back.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Life in the post-truth era
Opinion The mainstream media can't hold back a tsunami of misinformation
By Theunis Bates Published
-
'Shale is crucial to the US economy'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published