The Mirror of the Land of Dreams — Trump’s Promises and the Harsh Reality
By Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada
In the annals of history, even the dreams of the world’s most powerful nations are held accountable before the court of time. The United States, often hailed as the sole superpower, stands today at a crossroads where promises meet reality. Donald Trump, one of America’s most popular leaders, painted a vision of glory and prosperity for the people, but no leader, no matter how powerful, can escape the stark reflection of truth.
Today, in Trump’s current term in office, that story is being retold, but with new colors and deeper contrasts. It began with promises , grand, sweeping commitments that stirred hope and inspired millions , yet, as time passed, the contours of those dreams began to fade, reshaped by the unrelenting weight of reality.
During his election campaign, Trump assumed the role of a savior. He vowed to end the war in Ukraine within twenty-four hours, promised Americans a resurgence of jobs, and pledged to bring prices down as if every problem could be erased with the stroke of a pen. These words ignited hope across the nation, with chants of “Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!” echoing at rallies. For a moment, it seemed as though the dawn of a new era was near.
But with the passing of time, those dreams began to dim. Harsh realities shattered them, piece by piece.
Trump repeatedly declared during his campaign: “If I become president, I will end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours.” This vow became a beacon of hope for his supporters. Yet, time has revealed it to be little more than political poetry. The war, which began in 2022, rages on with even greater ferocity in 2025. As the new year dawned, Russia intensified its aerial attacks, reducing key Ukrainian cities to rubble. All attempts at negotiations collapsed.
The human toll has been staggering, with thousands of soldiers and civilians killed on both sides. Russian forces continue to hold vast territories in eastern Ukraine and maintain their grip on Crimea. What was once a dream of peace has not only remained unfulfilled but has grown more distant with every passing day. Trump’s most dramatic pledge , to end the war in 24 hours , has become, after 24 long months, nothing more than an unfulfilled illusion.
Trump also promised to transform America into the world’s greatest engine of employment. In the early months of his term, there were small signs of progress. Job numbers ticked up slightly, and optimism surged. But soon the tide turned. The unemployment rate, which stood at 5.7% in 2021, rose to 6.7% by 2023. By August of that year, only 54,000 new jobs were created nationwide, falling short of the expected 65,000. Now, in September 2025, unemployment hovers near 4.3%, one of the highest levels seen in recent years.
Instead of stability, the job market became a roller coaster of uncertainty. The grand promise of abundant work for every American has given way to anxiety and disappointment.
Trump’s third major pledge, to crush inflation and usher in a new era of low prices , has fared no better. Food, fuel, and housing have all become heavier burdens for ordinary citizens. Even as the economy recovered from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost of living climbed higher.
In 2021, inflation stood at 6.4%. By 2023, it had climbed to 7.1%. Today, in 2025, inflation has slowed to about 2.4% annually, but this moderation has not translated into relief for consumers. Prices remain painfully high, and families continue to bear the weight of years of rising costs.
In other words, while the rate of inflation has decreased, the burden of high prices persists. The America Trump promised, a land of affordable living, remains out of reach.
Trump had also pledged to improve relations with Russia to prevent future conflicts like the war in Ukraine. Instead, relations soured further. Russia pursued its aggressive policies unabated, forcing the U.S. to impose harsher sanctions. The world once again found itself teetering on the edge of a new Cold War, with rising tensions and global instability.
Today, as ordinary Americans walk the streets, a haunting question lingers in their minds: Is this the America we were promised?
In Trump’s speeches, he painted a vivid picture of a future utopia, a nation free of war, full of jobs, and with affordable goods for all. But as September 2025 arrives, none of these dreams have materialized. The war rages on, unemployment remains uncertain, and the cost of living continues to suffocate households. Even the world’s most powerful country has found itself trapped between dreams and reality.
This is not a uniquely American story. Across the ocean, in Pakistan, a similar tale unfolded. When Imran Khan, Pakistan’s most popular leader, rose to power, he too held aloft the torch of hope. He vowed to end corruption, curb inflation, provide housing for the homeless, and transform governor houses into universities. His campaign brimmed with promises of a “new Pakistan.”
Yet, as in America, time proved to be the ultimate judge. Those pledges, once so vibrant, were reduced to slogans that never materialized. The dreams he offered were real to those who believed, but the hard winds of reality extinguished them one by one.
Just as Trump promised to end the Ukraine war in a single day, Imran Khan promised sweeping change and prosperity. Both men lit the lamps of hope in the hearts of their people, but those lamps were blown out by forces they either could not control, or never intended to fight.
Whether it is the world’s lone superpower or a developing nation, the lesson is the same: painting grand visions is easy, but transforming them into reality is the hardest task of leadership.
Trump’s America and Imran Khan’s Pakistan are living proof that true leadership is not measured by the dreams leaders sell, but by the hard, unglamorous work of making those dreams come true.
