Just two months into the second Trump administration, the United States is experiencing profound turmoil. One week sees tens of thousands of employees dismissed, only for many to be reinstated the next. Tariffs fluctuate erratically, driven not by strategy but by the whims of one individual. Deportations occur in violation of judicial rulings, pushing the nation towards a constitutional crisis. The sole constant is the chaos itself.
On the surface, this may seem unexpected. A key aspect of Donald Trump’s appeal is his image as a top-tier businessman—similar to that of Elon Musk. The sales pitch is clear: with their exceptional expertise, America will be rescued from “bankruptcy”—or worse. Yet, there are few Harvard Business School case studies indicating that maximum instability leads to success.
Here, Occam’s razor offers a clear explanation: the US is faltering dramatically because its president and de facto CEO are a mix of self-serving and ineffective. However, amidst the absurdities, a darker truth emerges. Embedded in every chaotic action is a challenge. Every scandal serves as a test.
In the meantime, this unpredictability has ramifications beyond borders. Tourism has declined sharply as prospective travelers cancel plans to visit a nation that appears increasingly hostile to foreigners. Europe is rearming in response to an escalated risk of conflict, with Ukraine becoming a pivotal factor affecting the longstanding bond between the US and Europe. Allies are contemplating sharing less intelligence with their American partners due to the Trump administration’s growing closeness with Vladimir Putin.
It’s a plot twist worthy of a WWE Monday Night RAW storyline. However, the US is not in the business of entertainment. Its true value lies in its reliability. Instead, the nation is now vibrant with unpredictability. It’s chaotic. International diplomacy relies on relationships, yet Donald Trump seems determined to jeopardize America’s ties at every opportunity. (Well, except with Moscow.)
Then there’s the slash-and-burn approach to budgeting, seemingly a rush to establish a minimally functional government. A successful turnaround requires a coherent “plan.” Actively dismissing as many personnel as quickly as possible—without regard for their actual skills or contributions—does not constitute a structured plan. It merely perpetuates instability.
The silver lining is that many of those workers are experiencing reinstatement, as the judicial system begins to take action. However, this reinstatement could be temporary, depending on the decisions of higher courts. And even if those employees do return, how motivated will they be to remain knowing how their employer perceives their worth?
Furthermore, who would seek a job with the US government in its current condition? Civil service typically offers modest pay, but it also provides a sense of fulfilling a greater purpose alongside job security. The only missions being pursued at present are Donald Trump’s quest for retribution and Elon Musk’s trivial AI showcases. Sooner or later, they’ll exhaust their pool of SpaceX interns.
