Introduction

Abstract

In May 2017, the University of Reading launched a new interdisciplinary research centre for the study of the American presidency, the Monroe Group. Co-directed by Dr Mara Oliva (Department of History) and Dr Mark Shanahan (Department of Politics and IR), its aim is to encourage dialogue between scholars in the arts, humanities, social sciences and sciences working on all aspects of the office of the US presidency. As part of its creation, the centre hosted a one-day conference on “Trump’s first 100 days.” Historians and political scientists from all over the UK gathered to assess the impact of a presidency like no other. The breath and the quality of the contributions prompted the organisers to put together an edited collection of the essays presented. Charting his first year from both historical and contemporary political standpoints, this book delves into key aspects of the Trump campaign promises around immigration, trade and social and foreign policy and unpicks how the first year of the presidency has played out in delivering them.