Here's your Forbes Daily Briefing for Wednesday, April 30th.

Today on Forbes, Shock and Aw, How Trump Took Over Washington and the World in 100 Days.

100 days into a second term, the world revolves around Donald Trump.

In Europe, nations scramble to bulk up on arms in hopes of defending Ukraine,

or perhaps themselves. In Asia, manufacturers strategize where to move production lines,

without knowing the rules of the game. In Latin America, the tired, poor, huddled masses

stay home, sensing that things are different now in the land of liberty.

Those inside the United States feel it too, with uncertainty seeping into the most powerful institutions,

Wall Street banks, Capitol Hill offices, federal agency headquarters, and private university campuses.

Donald Trump, meanwhile, seems happier than ever,

back on his throne. Andrew Weiss, who worked inside the Trump organization from 1981 to 2017,

says, quote, he is more relaxed, and he's got more loyal people. And almost all of them are eager

to sing his praises. In a statement, White House

Press Secretary Caroline Levitt says, quote, in his first 100 days, President Trump has delivered on

hundreds of promises and already accomplished his two most important campaign goals. The border is

secure and inflation is ending. In a role as spokesperson, there's no surprise that she is exaggerating the president's progress on inflation here.

Yet the truth is, no one should be surprised by the swift start.

Trump's priorities have been clear since the 1980s and 1990s,

when the real estate developers spoke up on a few issues that mattered

to him. Take international trade. In 1988, Trump scoffed, quote, it's not free trade. If you ever

go to Japan right now and try to sell something, forget about it. He struck a similar tone on

defense spending, saying, quote, I'd make our allies pay their fair share.

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