President Donald Trump’s second term is showing signs of increasing volatility, with his recent actions and messaging driven more by personal whims than the disciplined strategy that marked his early months in office.

Early in his term, Trump implemented controversial but calculated moves, including shuttering USAID, restructuring federal agencies, and targeting Ivy League curricula.

Lately, however, his decisions have appeared impulsive, from reposting a racist video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes to demanding the nationalisation of voting for the 2024 midterms.

Trump has also confused immigration enforcement after federal agents shot two US citizens in Minnesota, and he has called for a “softer touch,” a move critics say is aimed at repairing public perception.

Meanwhile, he has focused on legacy-driven initiatives, including attempts to rename Dulles Airport and Penn Station after himself, and criticised the Super Bowl halftime show by Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny.

Despite occasional strategic efforts, such as unveiling the TrumpRx website to lower drug costs, Trump’s approval is declining.

A recent CNN poll found only 36% of Americans believe he has the right priorities, down from 45% earlier in his term.

Analysts warn that his extreme rhetoric and impulsive decisions, like the Greenland land deal attempt, continue to create chaos in both domestic and international affairs.

Critics argue his refusal to apologise for offensive posts on Truth Social underscores a pattern of behaviour insulated from accountability.

Democrats and some Republicans, including Senator Tim Scott and Rep.

Mike Lawler, has publicly condemned Trump’s conduct, highlighting growing concern about his unpredictable leadership.