I question writing another article about Trump, but the reality is the news cycle is Trump and has been for the past several weeks. 

This column has readily acknowledged Trump’s brilliance and political acumen. No politician in American history has fallen so low only to come back to the pinnacles of power. Trump has proven time and again that he will deliver on his agenda despite the odds.

In like fashion, this column has been critical of Trump’s arrogance. Trump constantly demonstrates his bombastic persona and ability to engage in brinkmanship. Trump thrives on confrontation as shown by his interaction with newscasters he dislikes.

Trump has shown great compassion for the victims of armed conflict from Ukraine to Gaza to Africa. Trump has also demonstrated that he is not adverse to using lethal acts, bombs and missiles, if he believes such actions are in the security interests of this country. In the past two weeks, we have seen Trump all over the page, yet the country is going forward.

The arrogance and pettiness of Trump was on display in the past few days in his interactions with Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, and Thom Tillis, Republican Senator from North Carolina. Both interactions clearly showed Trump’s persona of winning at all costs.

Gabbard’s defense agency was of the opinion that Iran had not yet acquired the ability to produce an actual nuclear weapon. Other defense agencies clearly had differing opinions. When asked by the national news about Gabbard’s agency’s opinion, Trump simply said Gabbard is wrong.

Trump could have easily finessed the question by stating there were contradictory opinions and he believed the other agencies had a better grasp of the situation. Trump’s action on national television was demeaning to his appointed agency head and may well inhibit others from voicing their opinions to Trump when he is truly in need of an array of opinions.

In similar fashion, Trump assailed Senator Tillis with threats of a primary challenge because he has not supported the current version of the Big Beautiful Bill. Trump’s margins are so slim in both the House and Senate that attacking his fellow Republicans seems to make no logical sense.

Debate is the essence of American democracy. I am not aware of any requirement that politicians swear fealty to President Trump. The President needs open and honest feedback from his subordinates and Congress. He doesn’t need a bunch of yes men, as blind allegiance will only result in failure at some point.

While Trump’s detractors love to attack Trump for his arrogance, there is an increasing segment that is recognizing political brilliance by Trump.  That the U.S. had a security problem on its borders was common knowledge, but most said the ability to solve the problem was not in the cards.

Trump, within days after his inauguration, had sealed the border and was in the process of deporting illegals who had circumvented our immigration laws. Trump simply put his will to the problem and resolved the issue.

By a show of force with B2 bombers, Trump demonstrated America’s strength and desire for peace. There is a ceasefire in the Middle East which none thought would occur. Will it last? Don’t know, but every day of peace is a day towards the better good. Give Trump his due.

We were told by Trump’s detractors that Trump’s moves on tariffs would increase costs of goods, raise inflation, and start a recession. Today the U.S. is gaining in trade negotiations, inflation is lessening, and the stock market is at record highs. Give Trump his due.

NATO has always relied on the U.S. to pay its way. Trump gets reelected and he bluntly tells them to increase their payments, which has been a common theme of U.S. presidents in the past. NATO  saw what Trump had done and its member nations agreed to pony up the money for NATO defense. Give Trump his due.

Congress has before it this Big Beautiful Bill. I personally have some reservations about the bill. But no one else has put forward a comprehensive budget plan in Congress in years. We all may have legitimate issues with Trump’s agenda, but in the grand scheme of things, Trump has proven that he can produce results that are effective for this nation. Let’s see where this ride takes us and the nation.