We’ve made it one full rotation around the sun—one depressing, tumultuous, frightening, and exhausting year—since Donald Trump exceeded many of our expectations and actually won the Presidential election. The Donald has managed to jam pack a lot into the last twelve months, and so we’re taking the solemn anniversary of his victory speech to break down how much of it can be confirmed one year in (only three more to go!).
Shortly after reports that Hillary Clinton had conceded the presidential race to him, Donald Trump addressed an enthusiastic crowd at his victory party at the New York Hilton Hotel.
His vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence spoke first. "This is a historic night," he said. "The American people...have elected their new champion."
"I come to this moment deeply humbled, grateful to God for his amazing grace," he continued, before thanking his family and the American people. "I'm mostly grateful to our President-elect, whose vision and leadership will make America great again," he said. Pence then introduced Trump.
He discussed rebuilding "inner cities" and infrastructure, as well as "taking care of our great veterans." "We will embark upon a project of national growth and renewal," he continued.
The Verdict: TBD. For infrastructure and vets, this has shown to be only talk. His promises for a trillion-dollar infrastructure plan have fizzled out of conversations, and the only significant structural change he’s made is displacing native people by approving the Dakota Access and Keystone Pipelines. Veterans were given the whole month of November in recognition, but not much else that can actually benefit their lives.
