Then and Now: Comparing Donald Trump’s 2016 and 2024 Agendas

Below is a comparative summary of Donald Trump’s policy agendas from his 2016 and 2024 presidential campaigns.

This summary was generated by OpenAI’s GPT-4o using this prompt.

Infrastructure

2016: Proposed a deficit-neutral plan for substantial new infrastructure investments, focusing on transportation, clean water, and energy infrastructure.
2024: Not mentioned.
What changed: Infrastructure is not a highlighted agenda in 2024.

Cybersecurity

2016: Planned an immediate review of U.S. cyber defenses and vulnerabilities, with a focus on both offense and defense.
2024: Not mentioned.

Veteran Affairs Reform

2016: Aimed to reform the VA by firing corrupt executives, modernizing the VA, and providing veterans with the choice of private care.
2024: Not mentioned.

Trade

2016: Focused on renegotiating trade deals like NAFTA and labeling China a currency manipulator.
2024: Emphasizes stopping outsourcing and turning the U.S. into a manufacturing superpower.
What remained the same: Continued focus on protecting American jobs and industries.
What changed: Shift from specific trade deal renegotiations to broader manufacturing goals.

Tax Plan

2016: Proposed reducing taxes across the board, especially for working and middle-income Americans.
2024: Promises large tax cuts for workers and no tax on tips.
What remained the same: Commitment to reducing taxes for Americans.
What changed: Specific focus on tax cuts for workers and tips in 2024.

Regulations

2016: Planned to eliminate wasteful regulations and issue a moratorium on new regulations.
2024: Intends to cut costly and burdensome regulations, including canceling the electric vehicle mandate.
What remained the same: Focus on reducing regulatory burdens.
What changed: Specific mention of canceling the electric vehicle mandate in 2024.

National Defense

2016: Aimed to rebuild the military and emphasize cyber warfare.
2024: Plans to strengthen and modernize the military, making it the strongest in the world.
What remained the same: Continued emphasis on military strength.
What changed: No specific mention of cyber warfare in 2024.

Immigration

2016: Proposed building a wall, ending sanctuary cities, and deporting criminal aliens.
2024: Plans to seal the border, stop the migrant invasion, and carry out the largest deportation operation.
What remained the same: Focus on strict immigration control and deportation.
What changed: Increased emphasis on large-scale deportation and border sealing.

Health Care

Foreign Policy and Defeating ISIS

2016: Focused on defeating ISIS and ending nation-building.
2024: Aims to prevent World War Three and restore peace in Europe and the Middle East.
What remained the same: Emphasis on peace and security.
What changed: Shift from defeating ISIS to broader global peace efforts.

Energy

Education

2016: Proposed a $20 billion federal investment in school choice.
2024: Plans to cut federal funding for schools pushing certain ideologies.
What remained the same: Involvement in education funding.
What changed: Shift from promoting school choice to restricting funding based on content.

Constitution and Second Amendment

2016: Emphasized defending the Constitution and the Second Amendment.
2024: Continues to defend the Constitution and fundamental freedoms, including the right to bear arms.
What remained the same: Commitment to constitutional rights and the Second Amendment.
What changed: No significant change in stance.

Child Care

2016: Proposed tax deductions for child care expenses and paid leave for new mothers.
2024: Not mentioned.

Economy

Read Trump’s 2016 agenda here. (from the Internet Archive WayBack Machine)

Trump did not publish an agenda in 2020. He instead published a list of “promises kept” from his term as president.