ANALYSIS — President Donald Trump made clear this week his second-term strategy for governing is based largely on his own gut instincts, but stock markets have rejected that unorthodox approach and congressional Democrats call it reckless.
Democrats have criticized Trump over what they say is a seat-of-the-pants stewardship of the economy, with one lawmaker contending this week that the president has managed his tariffs push using mostly “vibes.” Based on Trump’s own words, he might not be that far off.
But where Democrats see a lack of strategic thinking, Trump and his top aides describe him as a once-in-a-lifetime decision-maker with the power to have others bend to his will. The president might alter course just hours after appearing to double down on a hard-line policy, but at the White House, officials say it’s the preferred approach — even if it did send stock markets on a wild up-and-mostly-down ride.
