Trump and Musk redesign government: 100 days of golden power

It was January, and the streets of Washington were still reeling from the post-election bustle when Donald J. Trump was sworn in again as president. But this time, something was different. His second term would not be a continuation, but a refoundation. From the first minutes, the message was clear: "Shrink government, restore power." And to achieve this, Trump not only brought his old golden style with him, but also a new ally: Elon Musk .

One of the most unexpected moves was the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Musk. Its mission: to cut staff, cancel programs deemed "inefficient," and redesign the federal bureaucracy. Within weeks, thousands of probationary employees were laid off and several agencies saw their budgets slashed. It was the largest administrative redesign since the era of Franklin D. Roosevelt .

As if time were against him, Trump signed more executive orders than any other president except Roosevelt. Some actions rolled back climate protections, others altered equality policies, or prompted mass deportations. Each signature seemed like a direct blow to the foundations of the federal order as we knew it.

Immigration policy became a direct action campaign. Trump sent troops to the border, closed access to asylum seekers, and reduced legal entry. Border encounters decreased, but the emotional and social toll on immigrant communities was severe.

The new Trump has turned his attention to constitutional reinterpretation. He wants to revoke birthright citizenship, limit the power of Congress, and establish a new approach to federal funding. Some cases have already reached the Supreme Court, where he has achieved partial victories.

On the economic front, the 10% "universal tariff" on almost all imports caused turbulence. Although Trump promised new jobs and less dependence on China, markets reacted with trillion-dollar losses. Economists warn that this protectionism could be unsustainable.

Tesla, once a symbol of sustainability, now finds itself in a contradiction. Its creator, Musk, supports a president who denies climate change and promotes fossil fuels. Shares fell, and although Trump promised support, the tension between environmental rhetoric and actual policy is evident.

One of the most dramatic moments occurred in the Oval Office, when Trump confronted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky live on air. The world watched in bewilderment. It was a scene that contrasted sharply with Putin's absence from the White House, whom Trump has openly praised.

Amidst this maelstrom, the aesthetics also changed. The Oval Office became a gilded temple. Frames, vases, mantelpieces, fireplace: everything gleams in gold. It's more than decoration; it's a message. Trump doesn't just want to govern; he wants to do so with imperial ostentation.

Although Trump managed to quickly fill his cabinet, thousands of lower-level positions remain vacant. The plan is clear: reclassify public employees to facilitate layoffs and ensure each official is loyal to his vision.

If one thing is clear after these first 100 days, it's that Trump and Musk didn't come to run the government, but to remake it. The question isn't whether they'll succeed, but what will remain afterward. A more agile system? A more vulnerable democracy? A strengthened or weakened economy?