As 2017 comes to a close, many are wondering what the new year will bring to the United States. For Donald Trump, 2018 will mark his second year as commander in chief, much to the chagrin of his critics.
Trump on 2018
At the start of the 2017, Donald Trump was getting ready to be sworn into office as the 45th President of the United States. After a shocking defeat of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton just two months earlier, the former host of "The Apprentice" took over the White House from Barack Obama, handing the presidency to the Republican Party who already had a majority-control in both the House of Representative and the Senate.
Since then, Trump has continued with his controversial policies and reckless rhetoric on social media, resulting in massive backlash across the country. According to the latest polling data, Trump's approval rating to end the year has dropped to around 35 percent, the lowest of any president after one year in office in recent history. Despite this, Trump has done his best to spin the news in his favor, touting the passing of his tax bill and the positive news out of the stock market to reinforce his message. As seen on his Twitter feed on December 31, the president sent a New Year's Eve message to his social media followers, while throwing shade at his critics.
As our Country rapidly grows stronger and smarter, I want to wish all of my friends, supporters, enemies, haters, and even the very dishonest Fake News Media, a Happy and Healthy New Year. 2018 will be a great year for America!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017
In a Twitter post on Sunday afternoon, Donald Trump tried to stay positive with a Happy New Year post.
"What a year it’s been, and we're just getting started," Trump tweeted out. "Together, we are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Happy New Year!!" he added.
What a year it’s been, and we're just getting started. Together, we are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Happy New Year!! pic.twitter.com/qsMNyN1UJG
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017
In a follow-up message, Donald Trump targeted his 'haters." "As our Country rapidly grows stronger and smarter, I want to wish all of my friends, supporters, enemies, haters, and even the very dishonest Fake News Media, a Happy and Healthy New Year," Trump wrote, while concluding, "2018 will be a great year for America!"
New Year's backlash
In response to Donald Trump's tweet about the new year, those who oppose the current administration wasted no time giving their reaction.
"2018 will be a much better year. It will be filled with indictments and impeachment," one tweet read.
The past year has been a roller coaster of Trump lies, scandals, staff turnover, disrespect of foreign leaders, unnecessary public attacks on elected officials and US citizens including Goldstar families, a complete disaster. Trump is the worst president in history!
— Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) December 31, 2017
2018 will be a much better year. It will be filled with indictments and impeachment.
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) December 31, 2017
"The nation is racially divided, America has lost his credibility in the international community, our allies no longer respect us, sexual assault has been normalized because of Trump and for the first time in history a sitting president endorsed a ped*phile!" Bishop Talbert Swan tweeted out.
"All you did in 2017 was golf and lie," actor Tommy Campbell replied.
trump ruined a lot of things too
— Ellie (@onyxisbest) December 31, 2017
Your impeachment would make 2018 a great year for America, but I'll also accept regaining control of Congress.
— Miranda Yaver (@mirandayaver) December 31, 2017
You can barely tweet at all without insulting someone, can you? Another attack on the media ... You JUST tweeted how terrible it was for Iran to have just down the internet .. but you'd like to have Sinclair Broadcasting take over the country if possible.
— Sally Deal #DemForce (@SallyDeal4) December 31, 2017
"Keep eating those Big Macs & fried fish sandwiches. Stroking out would go a long way towards MAGA," another tweet stated. "We’re waiting patiently for your removal from WH," an additional Twitter user wrote. The negative responses continued as the gap between the political left and right carries into the new year.