During Donald Trump's second administration, one strategy has been evident: the constant issuance of announcements and executive orders that generate headlines but are, in practice, irrelevant or unworkable. Rather than governance measures, these actions seem designed to fuel public debate, polarize the citizenry, and reinforce the image of a leader in action to his base of followers.

Trump recently declared that he was establishing English as the official language of the United States, a move that, in practical terms, changes nothing. In a country where English is already the predominant language in all administrative and commercial spheres, this announcement only fuels the controversy over national identity and immigration, fundamental themes in his political narrative. However, it does not provide concrete solutions to pressing problems such as the migration crisis, inflation or economic inequality.

The pattern of the strategy is clear: Trump makes impactful announcements, but many of his executive orders lack constitutional support or legal viability. Newly arrived, he attempted to eliminate birthright citizenship, a move that immediately clashed with the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution. More recently, he proposed changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America," an idea with no legal basis or real impact on the lives of citizens.

The official language

The debate over establishing English as the official language in the U.S. is not new. In 1981, Senator Samuel Hayakawa introduced a constitutional amendment for this purpose. Hayakawa worked hand in hand with John Tanton, an activist known for his advocacy of immigration restrictions and his influence on the 'English Only' movement. Although the amendment failed, it laid the groundwork for multiple attempts in subsequent decades.

During the 1980s and 1990s, several states declared English as their official language and there were several legislative attempts that never prospered. Currently, more than 30 states have declared English as their official language, although in practice, this does not change the predominance of English in government documents and administrative matters. The insistence on this issue seems to respond more to a political strategy than to a real need for change.

Trump understands the power of spectacle as few politicians do. His governing strategy is based on keeping the citizenry in a constant state of discussion, where his followers see in each announcement a cultural victory and his detractors react with indignation, feeding the media cycle.

This diversionary tactic allows him to avoid more complex discussions about his economic management, his relationship with Congress or the impact of his foreign policies. While the media and social networks are filled with debates about English as the official language, the pressure on other issues that really affect the daily lives of Americans is reduced.

For his base of supporters, these measures reinforce the image of a combative Trump, fighting back against what they perceive as a political elite that has ignored their concerns. By issuing executive orders with high emotional impact but low practical effectiveness, Trump positions himself as an active leader who challenges the status quo, even if his actions have no real consequences.

Moreover, by continually putting forward proposals that challenge legality or tradition, he forces the opposition to respond, allowing him to pigeonhole his detractors as "enemies of the people" or defenders of a corrupt system. Thus, he manages to transform any legal or constitutional rejection of his orders into a new political battle against the "establishment".

How long will it last?

The success of this strategy depends in large part on the ability of the media and the opposition to counter it. So far, the media has repeatedly fallen into the trap of amplifying every Trump announcement, no matter how absurd or inconsequential. This gives him a constant media presence and keeps his narrative alive.

However, the effectiveness of this approach could diminish if voters begin to demand tangible results rather than empty symbolism. The economy, security and foreign policy remain high priority issues for Americans, and at some point, rhetoric without substance could become insufficient to sustain the support of his base.

Ultimately, Trump has proven himself a master at manipulating public attention. His ability to keep the political spectacle moving is undeniable. The question is whether this strategy will be enough to govern, or whether, at some point, citizens will stop clapping and start demanding facts instead of bombastic announcements.