The problem with Donald Trump is not just his impulsiveness, his reality TV antics, or his obvious lack of understanding when it comes to governance—it’s that he wields his words like weapons without any regard for their global consequences. Trump’s second presidency and his continued influence in American politics showcase a terrifying combination of power without accountability, and nowhere is this more evident than in the chaos he sows through social media.
Take his recent tweet about TikTok, for example. I like most, deleted the app after hearing reports that it was “banned,” only to find out today that the MSM outlets who were reporting it as “unbanned” were wrong. Upon closer analysis and a deeper dive, the truth becomes clear: none of it holds up. His tweet carried no legal weight. Per reporting by Forbes on January 21, TikTok remains inaccessible, with companies like Apple and Google adhering to actual laws—not the impulsive whims of a man who treats the presidency as his personal PR machine. But the damage is already done. His careless words sent millions of people, myself included, into a spiral of confusion.
This is Trump’s modus operandi: creating chaos, refusing responsibility, and pretending ignorance when confronted with the fallout. It’s why January 6 happened. He encouraged violence and rebellion, then feigned innocence: “I didn’t tell them to storm the Capitol.” Of course, he did. It’s precisely why January 6 happened. As Calvin Coolidge aptly wrote in his 1929 autobiography, The Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge, “When you’re the president, every word you say carries immense weight.” These words resonate even more deeply in today’s era of the 24-hour news cycle, fractured media landscape, and the rapid spread of misinformation. Social media platforms, often devoid of rigorous fact-checking, amplify rumors and half-truths at an unprecedented scale, creating an environment where a single reckless statement from a leader can wreak havoc—or, worse, incite insurrection. Mr. Trump wants the power of the office but shirks the accountability that comes with it. That’s what makes him so dangerous—not just to Americans, but to the world.
Being the president isn’t a reality tv game, though Trump seems to think it is. This is a man who thrives on attention and stunts but lacks any real care of how his words and actions ripple across the globe. His reckless tweeting, which was annoying the first time around, becomes genuinely frightening when you realize it’s part of his governing style. No protocol. No decorum. No thought to the implications of his words. Whether it’s TikTok, international diplomacy, or inciting insurrection, Trump’s actions are rooted in self-interest and a refusal to engage with the reality of his position.
What’s even more maddening is how his behavior dominates the media and hijacks the news cycle. We’ve all been here before: Trump tweets something outrageous, and suddenly, every outlet is breathlessly reporting it, amplifying his chaos. Meanwhile, the public scrambles to make sense of what’s real and what’s not. It’s exhausting. It’s destabilizing. And it’s deliberate. Trump thrives in confusion because it distracts from his lack of substance, his lack of accountability, and his lack of a moral compass.
The TikTok debacle is a small example of a larger problem. When someone with this level of power doesn’t care about the truth or the consequences of their words, the results are catastrophic. Trump acts like a petulant reality TV star, but he’s not just ruining the vibe of a dinner party—he’s sowing confusion and chaos on a global scale. And the scariest part? We’ve seen the consequences before, and yet here we are, watching it all unfold again.
The problem with Trump isn’t just that he lies. It’s that his lies have material effects. It’s that his every word has the power to mislead, misinform, and destabilize. And instead of taking that responsibility seriously, he plays stupid and pretends the chaos is someone else’s fault. The real issue with Trump is not just who he is, but what he represents: the terrifying reality of unchecked power with zero accountability. And if we don’t hold him accountable, the cycle of confusion, chaos, and destruction will continue—on repeat.
Sources
Coolidge, Calvin. The Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge. Goodreads.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174547.The_Autobiography_of_Calvin_CoolidgeHarvard Kennedy School. "Trump and January 6: A Study." The Harvard Crimson, July 26, 2022.
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2022/7/26/trump-jan-6-hks-study/Advanced Leadership Initiative. "Who Was Responsible for January 6th?"
https://www.sir.advancedleadership.harvard.edu/articles/who-was-responsible-for-january-6thReuters. "TikTok Goes Dark for U.S. Users as Trump Says He’ll Save TikTok." January 19, 2025.
https://www.reuters.com/technology/tiktok-goes-dark-us-users-trump-says-save-tiktok-2025-01-19/Durkee, Alison. "TikTok Still Off App Stores as Trump Freezes Ban—Here’s What to Know." Forbes, January 21, 2025.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2025/01/21/tiktok-still-off-app-stores-as-trump-freezes-ban-heres-what-to-know/