Trump's to-do list: Fix the economy and border. All he must remember is KISS. | Opinion

President Donald Trump needs to follow the KISS method as he begins his second term on this Inauguration Day.

KISS (aka “keep it simple, stupid”) could help Trump stay focused on what 77.3 million Americans just elected him to do.

As Trump has acknowledged, voters opted for him again, rather than Vice President Kamala Harris, because they wanted someone who could fix what the Biden-Harris administration got so wrong on the economy and the border. 

Inflation and illegal immigration both soared over the past four years, and Trump promised to solve both problems. Now, he must follow through. 

Another view: Happy Inauguration Day! Once Trump is president, America will become great again! | Opinion

Opinion Forum: What can we expect from Trump's first 100 days? Here's what you said.

Greenland? Panama Canal? Gulf of 'America'? Nope. 

Trump often has a hard time staying on task. As he proves every time he steps in front of a microphone, he can’t help himself but go on wild tangents, which often come across as streams of consciousness rather than well thought out policy ideas. 

For instance, at a news conference this month at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump touched on a whole range of things, from wanting to annex Greenland to thinking it would sound nice to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.”

Now, if Trump were to apply the KISS method, he’d realize that these things don’t fit under the categories of either the border or the economy. 

That’s all he should be talking about now. A president’s first 100 days are important in setting the tone of the next four years – and this will be Trump’s final chance to secure his legacy.

And I do think that’s important to him. 

Of course, this is how Trump has always been. His unconventional approach is part of his appeal (it's also what drives liberals and many of my media colleagues nuts). And at 78, he’s not likely to change. Yet, his entertainer instincts often trump prudence.

While there is some truth to what Trump has said about Greenland and the Panama Canal and their importance to national and global security, the start of his presidency isn’t the time for these major undertakings when Americans want him to fix things at home first. 

They’re simply a distraction.

Trump has GOP control of Congress. He can't waste that. 

The reality is that Trump’s best chance to get things done is in the next two years. He has only a slim majority in Congress now, and the midterm elections could erase that. 

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune seem aligned on their priorities. They have both highlighted the economy and securing the border as first matters of business. 

And to his credit, Trump has already been in talks with both leaders, working to iron out discrepancies in how best to manage the top issues. 

“We’re looking at the one bill versus two bills, and whatever it is doesn’t matter, we’re going to get the result and we’re going to make America great again,” Trump told reporters this month.

That’s the right attitude, and it shows Trump is willing to compromise (somewhat, anyway) if it means getting his agenda across the finish line. 

For instance, he had first supported a “big, beautiful bill” that would tackle the border, tax policy and energy in one piece of legislation. Johnson has favored that approach, but Thune does not. 

Republicans have wasted too much time with infighting and petty battles the past few years. Now, with Trump on board, they have the opportunity to show the country they can work together to deliver on campaign promises. 

Trump risked his life to return to the Oval Office. He deserves a chance to show us what he can do in a second term.

When other distracting ideas or events divert Trump from his top priorities (and they will), all he has to remember is to KISS them goodbye. 

You’re welcome, Mr. President.

Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at Paste BN. Contact her at ijacques@usatoday.com or on X, formerly Twitter: @Ingrid_Jacques