On June 14, Donald Trump will celebrate his 80th birthday. He had already made sure it was a special day. The US president wants to organize a “big UFC fight” on the perfectly manicured lawn in front of the White House. On this occasion, he invited mixed martial arts champions who will shed blood and break bones in front of a selected audience and millions of people in front of their TV screens.
It will be an attraction in the eventful year of 2026. The United States of America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its founding, and how the nation will present itself on that day depends largely on the president. Trump has already ordered museums in Washington to, in their exhibitions, take care of the image of “the United States as one of the greatest forces for good in the history of the world.”
However, in 2026, the US president will be able to celebrate not only his birthday, the 250th anniversary of the US and the FIFA World Cup. In the second year of his second term, the Republican and his “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement will face great challenges. Here is an overview.
The midterm elections will be held on November 3. A new House of Representatives, one-third of the hundred seats in the Senate, and many governors will be elected. Maybe these will be crucial electionsas Trump supporters currently hold slim majorities in both houses.
If they lose it, it will be almost impossible for the president to carry out further reforms in the second half of his term.
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Democrats in the polls they currently have a clear advantagebut a lot can still happen before November. In terms of both the cost of living and health insurance, the vast majority of respondents declare dissatisfaction with Trump's current policy. According to 64 percent Americans life is too expensive. However, the third important issue for voters, i.e. the actions of the American government aimed at limiting migration, is perceived by the vast majority as a success.
Test number 2: war and peace
Critics say that in his nearly twelve months in office, Trump has focused too little on the lives of American citizens and too much on other countries — and therefore acts contrary to what the slogan “America First” means in the eyes of his supporters [Ameryka przede wszystkim].
But “America First” also means “Trump First.” The almost 80-year-old president has made it clear that his political legacy is to “build peace.” He proved this with the ceasefire in Gaza, achieved through mediation and pressure, and the subsequent release of the surviving Israeli hostages. The bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities also at least delayed Tehran's pursuit of a nuclear bomb.
However, how lasting Trump's actions are remains a question of contention. Some of the “peace solutions” he negotiated they deserve this name only to a limited extent. Fighting broke out again both between Cambodia and Thailand and between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The geopolitical changes in Washington, which under Trump softened its previous strong support for Taiwan's defense, benefited primarily from Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
However, the decisive war for Trump's legacy is Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Without a doubt, the US president has never devoted so much time and, above all, so much of his reputation to any international conflict?
However, his much-praised “very good relations” with leader Vladimir Putin have not brought the resolution of the conflict any closer.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump after a press conference at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, December 28, 2025.Joe Raedle/Getty Images
On the last day of the old year, the US president unexpectedly shared an article very critical of Russia on his Truth Social platform. The tabloid “New York Post” presents the head of the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin as a real obstacle to peace and criticizes him sharply.
Among other things, he states that any attack on Putin is “more than justified.” “We don't need his crocodile tears, instead we need to increase the pressure.” The author of the article advocates not making further concessions to Russia, but taking more decisive actions. Kyiv has done its part – now it's Putin's turn.
“Peacemaker” Trump will have to face the challenge of whether in 2026 he will be able to negotiate a compromise that will ensure a safe future for Ukraine, and thus Europe.
Test number 3: MAGA
The dramatic passing of former Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene a few weeks ago was clear evidence that The Make America Great Again movement is falling apart. Greene, for many reasons, some of them related to her own career, decided to exchange blows with her former mentor.
Her decision undoubtedly had a lot to do with Trump not keeping his promises. Regardless of whether it is about full disclosure of Epstein's files or lowering the cost of living – it is not only in the opinion of an ultraconservative politician from Georgia that Trump is losing sight of the principles of “America First”.
Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia during a press conference with Jeffrey Epstein victims in Washington, D.C., September 3, 2025.Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images / Getty Images
The fact that the US president at the last minute instructed Republicans in Congress to vote for a bill to release the Epstein files was not only the first evidence of weakening power over its own base. It also showed that Trump's congressmen and senators are less and less concerned about the threats of the head of the White House.
Test number 4: Economic situation
Trump has proven that all the pessimists who predicted a recession in early April after he announced new tariffs in the Rose Garden were wrong. Despite the trade wars that the American started with its most important partners, the American economy did not collapse.
On the contrary, it continues to develop, and at a dynamic pace. Gross domestic product grew 4.3% between July and September, according to Commerce Department data. compared to the previous year, after taking into account seasonal factors and inflation. Inflation also fell in November. But consumer sentiment remain at record low levels. The labor market has shrunk and the public debt is gigantic.
At the same time, decisions are approaching that will have a major impact on the economic situation. On the one hand, financial experts fear that Trump will appoint a candidate loyal to himself as the new head of the US central bank. This could undermine confidence in the US economy and the international financial system.
On the other hand, in the coming weeks the Supreme Court will decide whether the tariffs imposed by the president under the decree are legal. During the first hearing, nine judges seemed to lean toward the opinion that they were not. And that could undo Trump's economic policies from the first months of his term.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
