AS the United States starts its new life under President Donald Trump, an awful truth is beginning to dawn. The man who now resides in the White House and leads the most powerful nation on the planet is going to keep his word. He is going to do what he says he will do.

Throughout Mr Trump's rise, his opponents have waited for him to rein back his more extreme statements. "It's all for show, and when reality bites he will have to moderate what he says," they said. The expectation was that when Mr Trump the maverick turned into Mr Trump the serious contender in the Republican primaries, he would find a more coherent tone. It didn't happen.

Then when he became the front-runner and favourite for the Republican nomination, he was expected to turn defensive and modify his more outlandish remarks. This, it was thought, would protect his lead and make sure he did not throw it away. Again, it didn't happen. When the presidential campaign started, many said: "Now he is up against the arch-professional politician in a real contest, and he will have to tack back to the middle ground." Nearly all presidential candidates do this - one set of positions and statements for the party faithful, to win the nomination, and then a more moderate set for the wider electorate. But not Mr Trump.