Donald Trump delivered a speech last Sunday, December 22, at the Turning Point USA conservative conference during AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona. His 75-minute address once again highlighted Trump’s skills as a consummate showman.
The Democratic press remains unsettled by some of the statements made by the former U.S. president, which diverge significantly from the policies implemented by the Obama and Biden administrations over the past decades.
Immigration Policy
Trump focused extensively on immigration issues, describing them as some of the most pressing challenges facing the United States. He said on his first day in the Oval Office, he will sign a historic package of executive orders to close our border to illegal immigrants.
He characterized migrants as violent criminals and reiterated his intention to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations. Trump noted that he attempted this during his first term but paused at the request of then-Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who sought U.S. cooperation in combating drug gangs rather than intervention.
Trump declared that he would immediately initiate action against foreign gangs and drug cartels on his first day in the Oval Office. He stated that he would order the deportation of all foreign gang members and designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. He emphasized that he would complete this immediately, using the full extent of federal law enforcement resources.
Trump’s immigration policy will also include aggressive measures to combat the influx of fentanyl into America and address its devastating effects. “We’re going to show people what these drugs do to you. No one has done this before, and we’re going to make it happen,” he elaborated.
Another related proposal is the elimination of birthright citizenship, which Trump called logical in the context of combating illegal immigration. However, this idea has faced significant opposition within the U.S. “We need to put an end to this, if possible through executive action,” he said. Trump and his supporters contend that the misinterpretation of the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, excludes children born to undocumented parents.
Social Policies
Trump promised to halt what he referred to as “gender madness” and ban gender transitions. He pledged to exclude transgender individuals from the military, schools, and other institutions.
Trump announced the immediate implementation of a ban on male participation in women’s sports. He elaborated that the United States would officially recognize only two genders—male and female—during his administration. He also included a rhetorical allusion to the simplicity of this concept.
Panama Canal Ownership
Another issue that sparked debate was Trump’s remarks about the ownership of the Panama Canal. Built between 1904 and 1914, the canal initially belonged to the United States. However, in 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed a treaty transferring control to Panama in 2000. Trump called this decision “foolish.”
“We’re being robbed at the Panama Canal,” just like “We’re being robbed everywhere”. The tolls collected by Panama are ridiculous and grossly unfair, he argued.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino responded by affirming Panama’s sovereignty over the canal, noting that tariffs for American use are economically justified as nearly 75% of cargo passing through it is bound to or from the U.S.
National Defense
Trump also revisited Reagan-era rhetoric about constructing an American missile defense system, a nod to the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) dubbed “Star Wars.” Trump announced plans to build an “Iron Dome” missile defense system within the United States, with much of the construction taking place in Arizona.
While such promises are part of the Republican Party’s campaign platform, experts question the viability of such a system for the U.S., given the primary threat of intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads. Israel, for instance, uses other systems, such as David’s Sling and Arrow-3, for long-range missile interception.
Comments on Elon Musk
Concerns arose over Elon Musk’s perceived influence on the Trump administration. Trump dismissed rumors that Musk would take over governance. “No, he’s not going to be president.” He said these are all fabrications. As for the claims President Trump has ceded power to Elon Musk. “No, no, that’s not happening,” Trump clarified.
Ukraine Conflict
Trump concluded his speech with his long-standing proposals for resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Donald Trump suggested that Putin had expressed interest in meeting with him as soon as feasible and that they should wait for this meeting to end the war.
It’s worth noting that during a December 19 Q&A session, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated, “I don’t know when we’ll meet because he hasn’t said anything about it. I haven’t spoken to him in over four years. I’m ready for this, of course, at any time, and I’m prepared to meet if he wants to.”
Russia still views the resolution of the Ukraine crisis as crucial, but special envoy Keith Kellogg’s proposed peace plan, which Trump has spearheaded, has significant shortcomings that need adjustment. However, if Trump can fulfill even part of his promises, including ending the Ukraine conflict, it would mark a major victory for his presidency.