When Donald Trump took office in January 2017, millions of people around the world watched closely. Known for his outspoken style and business background, many hoped he would bring change to Washington. He promised to “drain the swamp” and put America first. However, as his presidency unfolded, several of his actions turned out to be controversial, damaging, or simply poor decisions.
Whether you’re a supporter or a critic, it’s important to look at facts. From foreign policy failures to poor crisis management, we will walk through the Trump blunders list that shaped history and left a lasting impact – not just in the U.S., but across the globe.
1. The 2017 Travel Ban: “Muslim ban” mess That Created Chaos
What happened: In January 2017, Donald Trump signed an executive order to ban people from seven mainly Muslim countries (Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, and Libya). Even people who had legal visas or green cards were turned away at airports.
Why it went wrong: The order was hurried and confusing. People were taken off planes, families were separated, and courts quickly rejected parts of it. Airports saw people protesting in crowds, and it made the U.S. look unfair and harsh.
Simple takeaway: A rule meant to protect backfired badly and made many innocent families suffer. The decision was meant to keep America safe. Instead, it created panic. Many travelers with legal visas or green cards were suddenly blocked at airports. Families were split apart, and protests broke out across the country.
This is one of Donald Trump’s worst decisions, as it was ruled partially illegal and deeply criticized by courts and human rights groups. It also harmed America’s image abroad.
2. Yemen Raid Disaster by President Donald Trump
What happened: Just weeks into office, Trump ordered a military raid in Yemen. It was done quickly, without enough info and proper planning.
What went wrong: The raid killed a U.S. Navy SEAL and over 20 civilians, including an American 8-year-old girl. It shocked many and was a sad start to his presidency.
Simple takeaway: A rushed military decision cost innocent lives and left a stain on Trump’s record. It was poorly planned and ended in disaster. It raised serious questions about Trump’s decision-making as commander-in-chief.
This tragic event is often included in the Trump blunders list because of its human cost and lack of success.
3. Firing of FBI Director James Comey
What happened: In May 2017, President Donald Trump fired FBI Director Comey while the FBI was investigating possible ties between Trump’s team and Russia.
Why it was a mistake: The firing caused major shock and led to deeper investigations. It looked like Trump might be trying to end the probe, which made public trust fall. This move triggered a major backlash and led to the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
Simple takeaway: Removing a top law officer mid-investigation looked wrong to many people and triggered bigger trouble. Critics say this was one of Trump’s major mistakes during his presidency, as it made the Russia investigation bigger and more serious, ultimately leading to his first impeachment.
4. Withdrawing from International Agreements
What happened: Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of two major global agreements:
- The Paris Climate Agreement in 2017, which aimed to fight climate change.
- The Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA) in 2018, which was helping to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Why it was wrong: These deals were global efforts to protect the earth and keep peace. Leaving them made other countries upset and made the world less safe.
Simple takeaway: By quitting on big promises, the U.S. lost trust and global respect. By leaving these deals, Trump isolated the U.S. from global partners. These decisions are now widely seen as Trump failed policies that weakened trust in U.S. leadership.
5. Family Separation at the Border
What happened: Under Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy in 2018, over 5,000 children were separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border. Many children were held in cages, with poor conditions, and the government admitted it lost track of hundreds of them.
Why it was wrong: The United Nations called it “government‑sanctioned child abuse.” At least six children died in custody. Public and legal pressure forced Trump to stop the practice.
Simple takeaway: A strict rule that caused deep harm to children and families, and was later reversed under huge criticism. This policy shocked the world and became one of the most heartbreaking examples of Trump presidency mistakes explained in media and human rights reports.
6. Mishandling COVID‑19 Pandemic
What happened: President Donald Trump repeatedly downplayed the seriousness of COVID-19, calling it a hoax, comparing it to the flu, and suggesting dangerous treatments like injecting disinfectant. He even said things like “it will disappear”.
Why it was wrong: The U.S. became the country with the most COVID-19 cases and deaths. Trump admitted privately he was hiding the truth to avoid scaring people.
Simple takeaway: A careless attitude during a big health crisis led to many unnecessary deaths. Many experts believe earlier action could have saved thousands of lives. This stands as one of the biggest Trump failed policies, showing poor leadership during a health crisis.
7. Capitol Riot of January 6, 2021
What happened: After Trump lost the 2020 election, he claimed it was stolen. This fed angry supporters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, trying to stop Congress from counting Electoral votes. Five people died, and many were injured. He waited hours to tell the mob to stop.
Why it was a blunder: Donald Trump did not act quickly to stop the violence. He waited hours before calling it off. Five people died. Afterwards, he was impeached for a second time. This marked him as the first U.S. President to be impeached twice.
Simple takeaway: His words and lack of action fanned a dangerous attack on the heart of U.S. democracy. This event marked a dark day in U.S. history and led to Trump’s second impeachment. It’s at the very top of every Trump blunders list and shows the danger of reckless leadership.
8. The Ukraine Scandal and First Impeachment (2019)
What happened: In 2019, President Donald Trump asked the Ukrainian president to investigate Joe Biden, and paused $400 million in military aid to Ukraine. This led to his first impeachment for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Why it was wrong: It looked like he used public office to pressure another country to help him politically. It broke the rules of fair play.
Simple takeaway: He crossed a line by using U.S. money to push a foreign leader into helping his re-election. It’s another example of Trump’s major mistakes during his presidency, using foreign policy for personal political gain.
9. Sharing Classified Information
What happened: In May 2017, Donald Trump revealed top-secret information to Russian officials during a White House meeting. U.S. intelligence agencies were alarmed, and it even forced the CIA to pull a key source from Russia for safety.
Why it was wrong: Sharing secret info can endanger lives and harm national safety. It alarmed U.S. intelligence agencies.
Simple takeaway: A big security mistake. This serious blunder put lives at risk and is one of Donald Trump’s worst decisions regarding national security.
10. Military Withdrawal from Syria
What happened: In December 2018, President Donald Trump suddenly said he would withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria. This decision was made without informing allies or military leaders that led to chaos in the region. He did this by phone with the Turkish President. This surprised U.S. generals and left Kurdish allies exposed to attack.
Why it was wrong: The move led to key Kurdish fighters losing their shelter and left a power gap that Turkey, Russia, and Assad’s regime exploited.
Simple takeaway: Acting too fast and alone in foreign policy can cause massive harm and betrayal.
Other Notable Mistakes
- Tariffs and Trade Wars: Trump slapped high taxes on Chinese imports in 2018–19. Farmers, manufacturers, and buyers felt the strain.
- Federal Debt Ballooned: His 2017 tax cuts increased the U.S. debt instead of reducing it.
- Charlottesville Response: In 2017, he blamed “many sides” after white supremacists killed a person in Charlottesville. People saw it as giving them an excuse.
- Corruption and Business: Trump never fully gave up control of his companies. Critics say he used the presidency to promote them.
- Scrapping Health Protections: He rolled back environmental rules and health protections like net neutrality, hurting poor families.
These mistakes hurt people deeply. Some came from unfair orders. Others from rushing decisions or mixing personal gain with public office. They also upset U.S. friends, made the world less stable, and weakened trust in leaders.
This matters not just in America; it matters for everyone. When a top leader makes big mistakes, it affects global peace, safety, and trust.
When we look back, it’s clear that Donald Trump’s presidency was filled with bold promises, but also many missteps. From mishandling a deadly pandemic to weakening global relationships, many of his choices had long-lasting negative effects. Each of these points in the Trump blunders list shows a failure in planning, judgment, or leadership.
Whether you’re in the U.S. or another part of the world, these moments help us understand how much a leader’s actions matter. Knowing about Donald Trump’s worst decisions helps us stay informed, ask better questions, and demand more from future leaders. Leadership isn’t about making the loudest noise. It’s about thinking clearly, acting wisely, and caring for people above all. Sadly, as history shows, those were the areas where Trump fell short.
