Unless you have been under a rock for the last four months, you are aware of the sea changes that are coming from the Trump Administration and the cascading impact it’s having around the world. From policy changes to layoffs to conversations about the future, no one is safe from the decisions coming from this current administration.
From government layoffs to tariffs to immigration, the ripple effect on all facets of life and society can be felt. There are too many ways to count the Trump administration’s impact on life the way it was before the election.
Whether you voted for Trump or not, whether you agree with his decisions or not, at some point, your life will be impacted by his decisions. Here are a few of the areas that have had a ripple effect across the country and the world.
THE KILLING OF DEI
As quickly as it was born, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are becoming a thing of the past. It was supposed to be the Equal Opportunity Act 2.0 with infrastructural changes to the business landscape to, once and for all, root out systemic racism. And on the surface, it almost looked promising. Today, organizations around the country are eliminating their DEI departments and killing any programs that went with them.
The ripple effect is the countless students who have had their admissions canceled due to the programs they were using to gain admission into some of America’s most prestigious institutions.
There are also changes for the countless non-profit programs that receive grants and funding, impacting the communities and people who would have benefited from getting those funds. While white women benefited the most from DEI, it also will halt the progress of many of the firms that were using it to increase diversity in their organizations.
Some organizations have changed the name of their DEI programs to hide the fact that they still will do the work of creating diversity in their businesses, but the steps taken to hide them also means that those looking for the chance to use them might not know they even exist.
TARIFFS
It’s troublesome that people do not understand how tariffs work. When a tariff is placed on a consumer good, the country sending the product isn’t paying the tariff; it’s the country of origin that ends us paying the tariff.
That means it’s the person buying the product who will cover the cost of the price increase. So, Americans will suffer the most when they attempt to purchase a product that has been imported into the country because the entity importing the product will carry the brunt of paying a higher price, thus putting that cost on to the end user.
A higher tariff will create a higher cost to the products Americans purchase. So now you can enjoy not only higher food costs, but you now will see every product you purchase go up in price because almost nothing is made in America anymore.
The ripple effect will see everyone who is going to buy almost anything in the next four years see a price increase.
What’s worse is that the products America does make will be higher priced in the countries that import our products, making them less desirable to the consumer and thus reducing the output of the production of those products and eventually killing American jobs.
So, tariffs will equal higher prices equaled with American jobs. Both of those combined will have a cascading impact on all the secondary businesses that rely on the primary industries to stay afloat. So, the diner on the corner, the local bar, and the corner store will not have the same business, and they will close.
GOVERNMENT LAYOFFS
No one will ever argue that the federal government is NOT bloated and poorly run. No business could stay in operation if it ran like the American government. With that, most Americans don’t agree with the broad-stroke layoffs taking place all over the country.
Entire federal departments are being eliminated, and the brain trust of people, information, and procedures is going with it. Because some of these departments touch everyone in one way or another, everyone will be impacted by it.
The ripple effect is tremendous on so many levels. For the government employees who have been laid off, their financial world has been turned upside down with the layoffs. Entire departments have been shuttered, and the end is nowhere in sight. No department is safe from a slashing of jobs and/or being dismantled.
The impact of a reduced or terminated department will have a huge impact on average Americans. Your needs will determine your level of pain when trying to interact with the department you call or need.
It’s been suggested that certain departments have changed how Americans access them. Wait times for things like a passport, social security question, or student loan needs will increase. What used to take weeks might now take months, depending on what you need from which department.
STOCK MARKET CHANGES
It seems like nothing is safe from the decisions of the Trump administration. Due to the introduction of tariffs, the idea of taking over country, and the threat of global unrest, the stock market is up and down, causing investors to feel uneasy.
This is coupled with the fact that the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, has decided to enter politics, and his decisions are causing his company’s stock prices to plummet. Tesla’s stock price has been cut in half, and those who invested in the stock are taking huge losses.
But that doesn’t seem to stop the work that Musk is doing with DOGE.
The Department of Government Efficiency is an initiative of the second Trump administration. It emerged from discussions between Trump and Musk and was established by executive order on January 20, 2025, with the purpose of “modernizing federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency.”
Most school districts, companies, and businesses invest in Telsa, so this means that anyone who has a pension might be impacted by the sudden changes in the market.
The current interest rates for home loans are creating a problem for consumers wanting to buy a home. With home sales slowing, it also means a reduction in title pulls, appraisals, and anything sold as a byproduct of home selling. This means that furniture and services that all center around home sales are affected.
IN CONCLUSION
So, what can you do if your life has been touched by the Trump Administration? How can you protect years and years of stability and consistency in an environment where change can happen in an instant?
There is no real answer to combatting the current political climate. With the constant distraction of news and information flowing like a flood, the tsunami of ridiculous situations Americans are suddenly in have most people beginning to numb to the news cycle of bad information.
To battle constant negative news, limit your exposure, focus on what you can control, practice mindfulness, and seek support from others.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the strategies:
- Limit News Consumption:
a. Set Boundaries: Establish specific times for checking the news and stick to them, avoiding excessive exposure throughout the day.
b. Take Breaks: Regularly step away from news sources to recharge and engage in activities that bring you joy.
c. News Detox: Consider a complete break from news for a period to reset your mental state. - Choose Your Sources Wisely:
a. Reputable Sources: Select news outlets that provide accurate and objective reporting.
b. Avoid Sensationalism: Be wary of sources that thrive on fearmongering or sensationalism.
c. Seek Out Positive News: Actively look for outlets that share positive news and uplifting stories. - Focus on What You Can Control:
a. Identify Your Values: Reflect on your values and priorities to help you navigate difficult times and make informed decisions.
b. Focus on the Present: Instead of dwelling on negative news, try to focus on the present moment and the things you can control.
c. Practice Gratitude: Focus on the positive aspects of your life and the good around you.
The ripple effect is real, and how you deal with it must be real as well. With no end in sight, everyone must get comfortable, uncomfortable.
