In just 50 days, Donald Trump has overturned our world. He tore the rules, attacked his allies, and sided with his enemies.
A country that we have for decades thought our backs were not a reliable partner.
We traveled thousands of miles and asked what it means to our lives and millions of people – from the swelling Backstreets of Africa to the frozen waste of Greenland and the tense border with Russia.
Supporters of Donald Trump at home and abroad see him as the confused supreme who brings peace, prosperity and puts America first.
But for many others, we have discovered that he is threatening a confused and a much darker future.
Trump may challenge the practice and bring fresh thoughts, but his critics say he’s too fast and erratically moving. They claim that his first 50 days have weakened America’s position in the world, which will be exploited by rivals.
The risk of the revival of Kenya
First I went to Kenya. The West’s focus may have been on Trump and Russia, but in developing countries it is the end of US aid that grabs headlines.
At the forefront of the African war with HIV, I heard that Trump’s actions are being compared to those of “biological warfare.”
Even among allies and admirers of the US president, most risks of the revival epidemic of diseases such as HIV, TB, malaria, Ebola, and polio are deeply unsettling and fears about what can come next.
Street in one of the poorest areas in Kenya in Nairobi
In one of the poorest areas in Nairobi in Kenya, we joined the healthcare workers in their rounds, heading down a sewer-filled alley to a cramped, overcrowded building.
In a one-room house, we met a young mother who was dependent on American aid. Anne is HIV positive and requires daily medication and nutritional support for both herself and her 1-year-old son. She is terrifying for their future due to the reduction in US aid.
Anne, who tests HIV positive, is with her young child
Alley in Nairobi, one room
“I’m very worried,” she told us.
“There was no warning.”
Kenya helped $850 million (£658 million) a year, which is now suddenly cut off. The US Supreme Court’s decision on the Trump administration may restore some of it, but there is complete uncertainty about what will happen next.
Nairobi’s healthcare manager Martha wrote about what she is at risk.
Martha, Healthcare Manager in Nairobi
“We expect more deaths. We expect more children to die before the age of five. We expect more deaths for children living with HIV.
83% of all US aid contracts have been reduced
The Trump administration says aid has only been suspended for 90 days since reviews have been made. However, in reality, many important programs seem to be shut down completely.
After a 45 minute flight west from Nairobi to Kisumu, we saw what was going on away from the big city. The impact looked just as serious.
In one state hospital, signs from the United States Organization for International Development (USAID) were everywhere except for the doors that are currently closed. It was a hub where patients were treated, but that is now doubtful.
Medical workers who supply medicines through Kisumu
Kisumu, Kenya
Staff said there was no further delivery, so they only had two months left due to the drugs and it took others less than a month.
The patient was stockpiling drugs, doctors said he was panicking for the future.
“Biological Wars”
The US-backed ammunition for the African war against HIV, malaria, tuberculosis and other diseases is running out. It took decades to control them. Fear is to return to a trend that has not been seen for years.
Signs to thank Americans at Kisumu Hospital
Delivery of medication provided by USAID at Kisumu Hospital
Eric Okioma is HIV positive and runs a charity that helps others with Kisumu’s illness.
“If you look at it from the public health side, it’s biological warfare, from a human rights perspective, he did the wrong thing, and that’s how I see it.
Eric Oki b, who runs a charity supporting other HIVs at Kisumu
Trump is popular with many people in Kenya. His conservative attitudes on issues such as gender and sexuality resonate in this predominantly Christian country.
However, even among worshipers and supporters, there is deep anxiety about the reduction in his aid.
Father and church attendant Peter Gunday said he agreed that Kenya should not rely on US aid and should be encouraged to provide itself, but Trump’s actions were too sudden.
“He wants to make America great again…
Peter Gunday, Church member of Kisumu
Aid threatens life worldwide and American status. The US uses aid to exercise soft power and influence.
read more:
US aid crisis leaves South Africans confused HIV
What is USAID?
Retreat America
Its superpower rival China prefers buildings. They lent billions of dollars for large infrastructure projects like the new railway from Nairobi to the coast.
It’s all leverage for Beijing, and is mercilessly applied to increase access to Africa’s abundant natural resources.
One of the roads built in Kenya’s new China
Under Trump, America is unilaterally fighting for power and influence. Its value and interest will inevitably suffer. It’s not that much in the US, but in the US it’s a retreat.
Finland is preparing for a Russian attack
Close to home, it is a shift to American security and is causing the biggest concern. We flew thousands of miles north to one of NATO’s latest member states sitting on the border with Russia.
What have Finlands made up what Trump is doing to the Western Alliance, which he just joined?
We filmed with Finnish troops on the border with Russia, which was closed due to the war in Ukraine.
On the border with Finland’s Russia
In the forests with a low population, locals report sightings of Russian drones. And there was a surge in recruits to border guards due to the international situation.
One of them, Aku Jaeske, said he took part “in the defense of our country.”
Axke
He said: “I think most of us are here for that. If we have a boundary between 1,300 people and Russia, it’s really hard – it’s pretty long – we have to have a good man out there.”
“Bring it in,” Finn says
What did he make with Trump and what he saw on the news?
“I think it’s crazy to turn on the TV today. I really don’t know what’s going on.”
The war with the belligerent Ukraine and Russia sparked a boom in shootings, opening hundreds of new ranges in Finland to meet demand.
Outside Helsinki, one shooting enthusiast Jakuri told me what he thought was behind its growing popularity.
Jarkri says shooting has become popular in Finland.
One of the increase in Finland’s shooting range
“The situation in Ukraine and people is realising that maybe (they) have to take care of themselves… think about that.”
The amateur shooter goes through the pace and crosses the open range with velocity firing at targets scattered around the room. Patrick said he was worried about the direction of the event.
“But if it comes… bring it,” he said.
Patrick says “bring it” in response to the question that he must use his shooting skills in the future
At the service station, Finland’s most popular tabloids had the headline “Trump’s Ten Gifts to Putin.”
Finns were once a side term for peace-loving neutrality. They are now armed and are carefully watching Trump’s overture to the Kremlin.
In the end, Finland said that Trump was standing next to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and during his first term he would believe him for the words of our spy agency.
We may be running out of the west
The Finns know from their history that warlike Russia is unreliable.
In Europe, the US is not just withdrawing under Donald Trump. Donald Trump says the US can no longer prioritize the security of the continent. It appears to be changing the aspect that completely abandons the West. It cuts off aid and intelligence to Ukraine while being hampered by Russian rockets and drones. Branding Ukrainian leader – not a tyrant in Moscow, but a dictator. Attacks nearby allies with tariffs. It continues to invade parts of Europe while resetting its ties with Russia.
“Trump is ridiculous,” says Greenlanders.
And he threatens to take over that neighbor. Our journey ended in Greenland, the top of Trump’s list of acquisitions planned.
Most of the people we spoke to were really worried about him.
The capital of Greenland, Nuuk
Students Aviana and Julie said Trump’s attitude was amazing.
“It’s actually very scary – he seems to be with Russia more than Ukraine. I’m really scared.”
Students Aviana and Julie said they were scared of Trump’s actions
Another passerby said Trump has no right to play for his hometown. They said: “I think it’s ridiculous to think he can take our land. We don’t have the resources to fight America.”
Jurgen Boassen has become a well-known figure for having dissenting opinions – he is frankly a pro-trump.
Jurgen Boassen is being paid by the Magazine Group to promote “cultural connections” between Greenland and the United States
“I think he’s a great man who wants to have peace in the world,” he said.
“Europe is failing”
He acknowledges that it is being paid by American Magazine Groups to promote “cultural connections,” and believes that Greenland will gradually reach the idea that it will approach America.
Greenland ice cap
“I don’t care because I realize I’m doing good things for Greenland. Europe is failing. Even the UK, Sweden, Belgium and even the Netherlands are Germany,” he said.
People seemed shocked wherever we traveled. America believed that helping others was a good thing for America – maintaining peace in Europe, saving lives, or protecting the sovereignty of its neighbors.
read more:
Why does Trump want Greenland?
85% of Greenlanders are opposed to joining us, polls found
Fear is under President Trump, it’s just out for itself. The idea that Trump can carve the world into the realm of influence with other authoritarian leaders seems plausible. In that case, a small country like Greenland may have a lot to fear.
From what we were told on our journey, Donald Trump’s first American foreign policy puts the lives of millions of people, the security and sovereignty of allies, and the status of America in a potential world that potentially strengthens its enemies.
