In a column published Tuesday, Stephens marveled<\/a> at Trump\u2019s recent slew of successes, saying that the president\u2019s term has had a better turn since his first 100 days in office.<\/p>\n “Egads! After a disastrous first 100 days, Donald Trump is starting to have a much more successful presidency. This is not what we, his foam-at-the-mouth critics, had planned or perhaps secretly hoped for,” he wrote.<\/p>\n MARK HALPERIN: DEMOCRATS TRY TO CONSTRUCT A FRANKENSTEIN CANDIDATE WHILE JD VANCE GAINS MOMENTUM FOR 2028<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n New York Times columnist and Trump critic, Bret Stephens, praised President Donald Trump’s recent successes in a new column.\u00a0 (NBC NewsWire \/ Contributor | Anna Moneymaker \/ Staff)<\/p>\n Stephens, who’s described himself as a “Never Trump conservative,” listed Trump\u2019s accomplishments \u2013 and pointed out whether he\u2019s achieved them through good policy or sheer luck.\u00a0<\/p>\n Among Trump\u2019s positive policies, the columnist pointed to Trump getting NATO countries on board<\/a> with increased defense spending.<\/p>\n “Far from destroying the Atlantic alliance, as his critics feared, Trump may wind up being remembered for reviving and rebalancing it, to the advantage of both sides,” he added.<\/p>\n He even praised Trump for “courageous policy.” Namely, the bombing of Iran\u2019s nuclear facilities last month.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Joining Israel in its strikes on Iran, which Trump carried out in the teeth of political resistance from parts of his own base, did not lead us into a calamitous Middle East war, though Tehran may yet seek retaliation. Instead, it helped bring the war between Israel and Iran to a swift end,” he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Donald Trump shakes hands with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after agreeing on a trade deal between the two economies following their meeting in Turnberry southwest Scotland on July 27, 2025. <\/p>\n The columnist went on to encourage Trump\u2019s adapted policy on the Russia-Ukraine war, stating, “Speeding the delivery of arms to Ukraine, after Trump\u2019s disastrous initial pressure campaign on Ukraine backfired by emboldening Vladimir Putin, is the only way to end the war.”<\/p>\n He also praised Trump\u2019s immigration policy, though he noted it is “good policy that\u2019s gone too far” in terms of its enforcement. Additionally, Stephens expressed some relief that trade deals<\/a> Trump recently secured with the European Union and Japan did not lead to worse outcomes than they did.\u00a0<\/p>\n Despite noting there are “many unbeautiful parts” to Trump\u2019s $3.3 trillion spending package<\/a> that was passed in early July, the columnist admitted it was a “needed” political victory for the president.\u00a0<\/p>\n COLUMBIA PROFESSORS DEMAND ANSWERS AS WHITE HOUSE FINALIZES NEGOTIATIONS WITH IVY LEAGUE UNIVERSITY<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n He also noted that Trump\u2019s legal shakedown of Columbia University<\/a> for antisemitism on its campus \u2013\u00a0while not the way to go about it \u2013\u00a0did yield results.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Bret](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/stephens-and-trump.jpg\")
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