The Panicans, a loosely defined group of critics and alarmists, have been in a state of heightened distress since Trump’s inauguration, perceiving each of his over 140 executive orders as a step toward societal collapse. The rapid issuance of orders—covering immigration crackdowns, tariffs (145% on Chinese goods, 25% on Canadian and Mexican imports), and the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—has fueled their narrative of impending doom. Social media posts on X highlight their anxiety, with some labeling Trump’s actions as “erratic” and “cruel,” particularly his immigration policies like mass deportations and the use of Guantanamo Bay for detentions. Panicans point to incidents like the brief federal funding freeze and the targeting of universities for alleged antisemitism as evidence of authoritarian overreach, often citing Project 2025 as a blueprint for autocracy, despite Trump’s public disavowal of it. Their rhetoric, amplified on platforms like X, frames these policies as existential threats to democracy, with some expressing fears of “losing healthcare” or “being targeted” based on identity or dissent.

Despite their alarm, Panicans have faced pushback from Trump supporters on X, who mock their reactions as overblown, dubbing them the “Panican creed” that acknowledges Trump’s actions—like securing borders, pardoning January 6 defendants, or cutting taxes—but always with a “but” predicting catastrophe. For instance, the peace deal between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, securing U.S. mineral rights in June 2025, has been largely ignored by Panicans, who focus instead on economic turbulence from tariffs, which they claim will trigger a recession. Critics on X argue that Panicans “cherry-pick” negative short-term impacts, like price spikes, while dismissing deregulatory wins or lower energy costs. The Panicans’ relentless doomsaying has led to accusations of performative hysteria, with some X users noting that their predictions of collapse often shift when policies, like the rescinded OMB funding freeze, fail to materialize as apocalyptic.

By July 21, 2025, six months and one day into Trump’s term, Panicans remain entrenched in their apocalyptic outlook, undeterred by court rulings halting over 100 executive orders or public approval ratings dipping to 40% (per Pew). On X, their anxiety is palpable, with posts decrying Trump’s “lawless” actions and warning of a “midterm bloodbath” if his agenda continues unchecked. However, their influence is waning as some Americans, per X sentiment, grow fatigued with constant panic, especially when promised disasters—like economic collapse or mass human rights abuses—have not fully materialized. Still, Panicans continue to rally around issues like immigration enforcement and DEI rollbacks, framing them as moral crises, while struggling to adapt to a political landscape where Trump’s base remains energized and his administration’s pace shows no signs of slowing.