As the reality of President Donald Trump’s second term sinks in, many disillusioned voters are now saying, “This isn’t what I voted for.” The first few months have brought not only chaos and confusion but a real concern about the direction of the government — as well as a legitimate threat of a constitutional crisis.

Despite these serious developments, Trump remains a constant presence in the media. His tweets and television appearances are often attempts to justify or cover up the fallout from his controversial policy decisions and executive orders. When his messaging fails to maintain support, he’ll often blame former President Joe Biden, liberals, Democrats or anyone that opposes him, including Republicans not in his camp. His “go to” tool, however, for distracting his base from a prevailing issue is to create a new one.

These smokescreens make it easy to forget the record from Trump’s first term: more than 30,000 documented falsehoods including the unfounded claim that the election was stolen, two impeachments, the shutdown of his charitable foundation for misuse of funds and the collapse of Trump University resulting in a $25 million settlement for fraudulent practices. He has since been convicted in court on 34 counts of business fraud and found liable for sexual assault — with combined penalties totaling nearly half a billion dollars.

Is this the record of a man you’d like running your government?

It should come as no surprise, then, that many of the promises made during the 2024 campaign and early in his second term have either evaporated, gone sideways or proven to be outright lies. The following is a small sampling of what was said by Trump and the outcomes delivered:

• Prices on food were supposed to fall “on day one.” Instead, according to the CPI, they are currently up by 2.5% and we haven’t yet felt the full impact of tariffs.

• Gas prices would drop below $2/gallon with a target of $1.87. U.S. gas pricing was at $3.11 when Biden left office and $3.12 as of this writing — nowhere near the $2 mark.

• Tariffs were framed to generate revenue for the government and as protection for American industries. While they have generated revenue, they’ve also triggered global financial instability, disrupted stock markets, created harmful trade wars and are a significant contributor to the rising cost of consumer goods

• Ukraine war: This war would end within 24 hours of taking office. It didn’t.

• Iran bombing: During the fall campaign, he said he was “the only president in generations who didn’t start a war” and wanted to “turn the page forever on these foolish, stupid days of never-ending wars.” Until now. Was it wishful thinking or is it now a needless assertion of authority? NOTE: Tulsi Gabbard, DNI, said in May before Congress that “Iran had not restarted the nuclear weapons program that it halted in 2023.”

CONSIDER THREE KEY POINTS when assessing the viability of Trump’s first five months:

First, the sheer volume of executive orders and proposed changes is overwhelming, generating both an unprecedented number of legal challenges and a growing backlash from the people he’s supposed to be representing. As many predicted, the “guardrails” keeping him in check would come down if he were reelected. In the first 100 days, he’s issued 142 executive orders. Biden had only 42.

Even FDR, whose critical executive orders helped lift the U.S. out of the Great Depression in his first term and carry us through World War II in the second and third, issued far fewer. From aggressive tariffs, trade wars and mass deportations to ludicrous side shows like annexing Canada, reopening Alcatraz and a military “birthday parade,” the administration’s activity is dizzying, leaving our nation in a state of perpetual confusion.

Second, this frenzy of activity is paired with relentless dishonesty. Trump and his team, as in his first term, regularly spew false or misleading information, making it difficult for the public to separate fact from fiction.

Third, consider the broader damage that’s unfolding: cuts to essential services, threats to Social Security and Medicaid, downsizing of agencies, reductions in scientific and health research and environmental rollbacks. These policies have real consequences for all of us — financial, social and personal.

IF YOU VOTED for Trump but are now having regrets, you’re not alone. Trump’s appeal as a populist outsider masks a life-long history of manipulation and misconduct in his personal, business and political endeavors. While always a flamboyant personality, the general public knew little about him prior to his first term. We did know, however, that Congress was becoming increasingly more polarized leading to partisan gridlock and a serious decline in congressional effectiveness.

As an outsider, many believed Trump would be a welcome alternative to the political status quo. Instead, we quickly learned that he was a pathological liar, a bully, an ego-maniac and a masterful con man who pushed an agenda focusing mostly on bolstering his ego, improving his brand, usurping authority and further enriching himself and his family.

So, here we are. If this information about Trump’s history, character, false promises, confusing agenda and questionable policies doesn’t deter you from supporting him, that is your prerogative. But, if you’re now seeing him for the man he really is, if you’re concerned about the dismantling of our democracy and if you’re frustrated with the perception of the U.S in the eyes of our allies (and enemies), then you can do something about it.

Share what you’ve learned with family and friends who voted for Trump. Let them know that the executive branch does NOT rule over Congress and the judiciary. Each is a check and balance on the other two. You can also write your congressional representative, attend demonstrations, participate in “town hall” meetings, donate to and volunteer with organizations that are on the chopping block and vote Trump’s Senate and House supporters out of office in the upcoming midterms.

All of these actions and activities are steps towards repairing the damage that’s been done and restoring our democracy to the core principles that our forefathers had intended. Reining in the chaos will be essential for the nation’s stability and its future.

Be a part of it.

(Ron Missel lives in Olean.)