Donald Trump’s election as the next US president has created endless discussions, expectations and fears in the States and around the world. One question remains: will Trump’s campaign promises give way to political realities?

Two weeks after the historic 2016 US elections, there are several reasons for Americans and the international community to remain wary of a future with President-elect Donald Trump in the White House, but there are also some early signs that his administration will be less than caustic than his campaign.

Current concerns of Americans who did not vote for Donald Trump include several cabinet picks so far that are veteran politicians and government insiders, which stands in direct contrast to his campaign claim to be a “political outsider” who will “drain the swamp” in Washington, DC. Trump’s quick picks for White House chief strategist and US Attorney General are under scrutiny by US media at present for their controversial statements and views on race and politics in the past.

Another reason for concern is that Trump has demonstrated he would battle the American press over perceived unfair media coverage. Trump’s cancellation of a scheduled interview with New York Times this week and a reportedly strong-worded meeting with the chiefs of private news network indicate that he is likely to push back against media outlets seen as bias while in control of the White House.

On the global front, Trump announced in a recently released video of his administration’s 100-day plan that he would abandon the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal with twelve Pacific nations on day 1 in office. The scrapping of this extensive and long-negotiated deal could set the precedent that America’s current agreements and treaties with the world are now under review and subject to change. Other areas of Trump US foreign policy will become clearer as his appointees assume their positions. America’s relationship with China, Russia, Iran, the Middle East and other nations could face changes under President Trump.

It should be noted however that Trump is already signaling he will back away from controversial campaign promises that boosted his popularity among many voters. Trump’s senior adviser announced this week that his administration would not pursue a criminal investigation against Hillary Clinton, which had once stirred his supporters to chant “Lock her up” at campaign rally after rally. In a recently released video detailing his key priorities over first 100 days in office, he did not mention the wall with Mexico, a ban on Muslims, repeal of Obamacare or withdrawals from NATO or North American Free Trade Agreement.

Also, the US stock market is currently at an all-time high with expectations that Trump’s pro-growth economic policies of tax cuts; reform of regulations and greater spending on domestic projects will benefit the country. Also, anti-Trump protests in New York City have dwindled down to hundreds of people versus thousands a week ago, while protests continue in traditionally liberal American West Coast cities such as Portland, Oregon and San Francisco, California, but do not appear to be increasing in crowd size.

As America settles in to observe its traditional Thanksgiving holiday this week, there will be endless discussion among family and friends and in the media about what the future holds under incoming US President Trump. Expectations and fears in the US and around the world will ebb and flow ahead of the incoming Trump’s presidency in January 2017, but let’s yet wait and see how many more campaign promises give way to political realities.

Scott Muir
Washington DC, Correspondent for L'express