Yeah, honestly, the answer is a straightforward yes. As of January 2026, Donald Trump is currently serving as the 47th President of the United States. It feels like just yesterday everyone was glued to their screens watching the 2024 returns, but we're actually deep into the second year of his second term. He was sworn back into office on January 20, 2025, making him only the second person in American history to pull off the non-consecutive "Grover Cleveland" maneuver.
If you’ve been living under a rock or just tuned out the chaotic news cycle for a bit, it’s easy to be a little confused. The political landscape has shifted so fast it'll give you whiplash. We aren't just talking about a change in the name on the door at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue; the whole vibe of D.C. has flipped since the Biden-Harris administration packed up their boxes.
How we got back to President Trump
The 2024 election was, to put it mildly, a total rollercoaster. After Joe Biden stepped aside following that rough debate performance in the summer of '24, Kamala Harris took the baton. But when the dust settled on November 5, Trump had secured 312 Electoral College votes to Harris’s 226.
He didn't just squeak by in the swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin; he actually won the popular vote too. That’s something a Republican hadn't done since George W. Bush in 2004. It was a massive political comeback that most pundits said was impossible given the mountain of legal cases he was facing at the time.
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What’s happening in the White House right now?
So, what does "President Trump" look like in 2026? It’s basically "America First" on steroids. Right now, the administration is hyper-focused on what they’re calling "The Great Healthcare Plan." Just yesterday, the White House dropped a fact sheet pushing Congress to pass this massive overhaul aimed at lowering drug prices and capping insurance premiums. It’s a huge pivot from the "repeal and replace" rhetoric of his first term.
But it’s not all policy papers and handshakes. The tension is high.
- Tariffs: He’s been doubling down on trade taxes, which is great for "bringing back manufacturing" but kinda rough on your wallet at the grocery store.
- The Border: Mass deportations aren't just a campaign slogan anymore; they are actively happening, and it’s sparking massive protests in cities like Minneapolis.
- Foreign Policy: He’s still talking about buying Greenland (seriously) and just had a big sit-down with Venezuelan opposition leaders.
The 2026 Midterm Vibe
We’re officially in a midterm election year. This is usually when the "out" party—the Democrats in this case—starts making a comeback. According to recent Brookings data, Trump’s approval rating is hovering around 43%. People are happy with his stance on crime and the border, but they’re pretty annoyed about inflation.
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Honestly, the economy is the big "if." While the White House says things are booming, the average person is still feeling the sting of high prices. This disconnect is exactly what the Democrats are banking on as they try to retake the House and Senate this November.
Real-world impact you’re seeing
If you’ve noticed your local news talking more about "Peace Through Strength" or "Energy Independence," that’s the Trump 2.0 branding at work. The House Appropriations Committee is currently pushing through bills for the 2026 fiscal year that slash spending in some areas by 16% while pouring cash into the military and nuclear deterrents.
It’s a different world than it was two years ago.
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Misconceptions about his current status
One thing people get wrong is thinking the "felony" thing stopped him. Even though he was convicted in that New York hush-money case back in May 2024, there’s actually nothing in the Constitution that prevents a person with a criminal record from being President. Once he won the election, most of the federal cases against him were basically put on ice or dropped because of Department of Justice policies against prosecuting a sitting president.
So, if you were wondering if he's actually the one making the calls—he is. JD Vance is the Vice President, and they’ve been working in lockstep to dismantle what they call the "Deep State" by reclassifying thousands of federal workers.
Actionable steps to stay updated
The news moves at the speed of light in this administration. If you want to keep tabs on what’s actually happening without the partisan fluff, here’s how to do it:
- Check the Federal Register: If you want to see the actual Executive Orders he’s signing (like the one about prescription drugs), go straight to the source. It’s boring, but it’s the truth.
- Follow Local Election Boards: Since 2026 is a midterm year, make sure you’re registered to vote. The deadlines are going to creep up on you faster than you think.
- Watch the 2026 Budget Debates: The real power is in the purse. Watch how the House and Senate handle the "America First" funding requests over the next few months to see which way the country is actually heading.
The reality of 2026 is that Donald Trump is firmly in control of the executive branch. Whether you’re a fan or not, the "is Trump our president now" question has a very definitive, legal, and operational "yes" attached to it.