Trump might be a strongman — but he still can’t do everything he wants

Former President Donald Trump has reignited a debate that has long haunted American democracy: How much power does the president actually hold?

Images from Trump’s recent tour of the Persian Gulf painted him as a global strongman. He arrived on purple carpets, escorted by fighter jets and feted with lavish banquets. The optics suggest dominance. But recent events show the limits of his power — both at home and abroad.

Power Abroad Meets Resistance

Trump’s second term is built on the idea that he is uniquely powerful. But world leaders have pushed back.

Chinese President Xi Jinping forced Trump to retreat from a 145% tariff hike. The president cut it to 30% after signs of economic strain emerged in the U.S.

“The lesson many world leaders take from this is clear,” said political analyst Sarah Kramer. “Trump folds under pressure when Americans start feeling the pain.”

Trump’s unpopularity in Western democracies has also become a political weapon. In Canada, new Prime Minister Mark Carney won his election by opposing Trump directly.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin also defied Trump by refusing to attend peace talks in Turkey. Trump had pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to participate. Even after the snub, Trump insisted only he could broker peace. “Nothing’s going to happen until Putin and I get together,” he said.

Critics say Trump isn't using the tools at his disposal. Sanctions and military aid could force Russia to the table — but Trump has held back.

“Presidents always think personality alone can change foreign policy,” said former diplomat Rachel Leigh. “But self-interest drives nations, not charm.”

A Strongman at Home

While Trump struggles to impose his will abroad, he has had more success at home. He uses executive power to silence critics and bend institutions.

He’s targeted law firms tied to his legal troubles. He’s sidelined the White House press corps. He’s even attacked universities like Harvard, leading to a fresh wave of lawsuits.

Big business has played along. Tech CEOs praised Trump at his inauguration. Their public deference became a symbol of his influence.

But the limits are real. Trump imposed tariffs unilaterally. Yet Walmart — a major U.S. employer — warned this week that higher prices were inevitable.

The White House lashed out. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Amazon of “a hostile and political act” for considering listing tariff costs on product pages. The move never materialized, but the response revealed White House fears: a public backlash could cripple Trump’s economic plans.

Courts and the Constitution

Trump’s grab for unchecked authority has drawn legal challenges. This week, the Supreme Court heard a case about birthright citizenship. Lower courts had blocked Trump’s attempt to end it. If the administration wins, it could weaken the power of judges to halt executive orders.

Trump’s administration has gone further. Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller suggested suspending habeas corpus. That centuries-old legal right lets detained people challenge their imprisonment. “It depends on whether the courts do the right thing,” Miller said.

Legal experts sounded alarms. “Suspending habeas corpus would mark a constitutional crisis,” said Georgetown Law professor Lila Foster.

Even past presidents have used executive power to work around Congress. Barack Obama and Joe Biden both issued orders when lawmakers stalled. But Trump, critics argue, is pushing this trend to dangerous extremes.

Trump’s Test at Home

Trump’s biggest test may be in Congress. A sweeping legislative package — his so-called “big, beautiful bill” — is on the line.

It includes tax cuts, energy expansion, and steep defense spending hikes. To balance the budget, Republicans want to slash Medicaid and food stamps. That could hurt Trump’s own base.

The House is likely to pass the bill. Speaker Mike Johnson’s slim majority may be enough, especially with Trump’s influence over GOP voters. But the Senate poses a tougher challenge.

Trump’s legacy may hinge on whether he can force lawmakers to fall in line. The world is watching — not just for what Trump tries to do, but for what he can actually get done.

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