Friday, March 27, 2026

Imaginging if Trump were an AI Algorithm

 

I’ve been hesitant to use AI for politics or any really personal issues. But now it came to Donald Trump. He does not really have a political agenda other than cutting taxes for the rich and enriching himself. There is one aspect of politics that Trump intuitively knew how to use: money. This was needed for elections, but always his motive. The way had been cleared for him by Citizens United. PACs have been reality since 2010. But we are not here to discuss how Trump got elected, or to make a profile of a Trump voter. We just want the AI summary of how Trump works. The words followed by a plus sign were links, but I copied them as plain text.

I asked Google AI to define Donald Trump if you treat him as a decision-making algorithm.

ANSWER:

Summary

In his second term, which began on January 20, 2025,  Donald Trump's use of presidential power is described by legal scholars as an aggressive, "maximalist" application of the Unitary Executive Theory. This theory posits that the President possesses nearly total authority over the executive branch, including historically independent agencies. 

The New York Times +3

If viewed as an algorithm, his application of power follows these specific patterns:

1. Direct Execution Over Agency Delegation

Instead of the traditional "President orders agency → agency acts" model, the administration frequently uses direct exercises of power to bypass bureaucratic reviews. 

Regulatory Studies Center

  • Executive Dominance: Trump signed a record-breaking 147 executive orders in his first 100 days—dwarfing his legislative output of only five bills.
  •  
  • Administrative Takeover: He issued an executive order requiring "independent" agencies like the FTC and SEC to report directly to the White House's Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
  • Bypassing Vetting: Traditional internal checks, such as the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel, have been largely sidelined in favor of a small circle of advisors, including Stephen Miller, to accelerate action. 

The White House (.gov) +3

2. The "Emergency Power" Override

The algorithm frequently invokes national emergency statutes to claim authority over areas traditionally controlled by Congress, such as taxation and spending. 

The New York Times +1

  • Unilateral Tariffs: He used a 1977 emergency law intended for foreign threats to unilaterally impose sweeping tariffs on nearly all imported goods.
  • Spending Freezes: The administration has frozen funds appropriated by Congress and redirected available money—such as military pay funds—to fulfill specific policy goals without new legislative approval. 

*Holland & Knight +2

3. Systematic Deregulation (The 10-to-1 Rule)

To "dismantle the administrative state," the administration implemented a strict 10-to-1 deregulation ratio

The White House (.gov)

·        Elimination Mandate: For every one new federal regulation issued, agencies are required by executive order to identify and repeal at least ten existing ones.

·        Hiring Freezes: A total freeze was placed on filling vacant federal civilian positions to prevent "duplicative functions". 

Holland & Knight +1

4. Punitive Use of Authority

Legal experts note the algorithm includes a "retribution" logic where presidential tools are used against perceived opponents. 

ABC30 Fresno +1

·        Security Clearance Revocation: Orders were signed to remove security clearances from law firms that represented clients against him.

·        Federal Fund Bludgeoning: Federal grants and assistance have been threatened or withheld from "sanctuary jurisdictions" and universities that do not comply with administration priorities. 

 

5. Tactical Disruptions

The algorithm uses rapid-fire orders to maintain "narrative dominance" and keep opposition in a reactive state. 

The Conversation +1

  • Shock and Awe: By issuing dozens of major orders (e.g., ending birthright citizenship, creating the "Department of Government Efficiency," and restoring the death penalty) within days, the administration tests the limits of the judiciary's ability to issue injunctions.
  • Ignoring Statutes: Analysts observe that the administration often acts in defiance of existing laws, asserting that the President's constitutional authority is "exclusive" and overrides congressional statutes. 

NAFSA +4

He then asked if I need links or more proof.

ME: No, we have enough

Google AI: Understood. We've mapped out the logic of the "Trump Algorithm"—from its binary data filtering and transactional worldview to the high-velocity, maximalist application of executive power. 

It’s a system designed for speed over vetting and dominance over deliberation, effectively treating the presidency as a direct-drive engine rather than a series of gears.

Since we've covered the mechanics of his decision-making and power usage, do you want to dive into a specific policy area (like the economy or immigration) to see how this algorithm is currently playing out, or move on to a different topic?