Donald Trump is known for his tough, aggressive approach to leadership, and right now, it seems to be working in his favor. He doesn’t try to be charming or diplomatic in the traditional sense. Instead, he uses force, intimidation, and a relentless drive to get his way. His style can be blunt, confrontational, and even offensive to some, but it’s also undeniably effective in certain political battles. Trump has always been obsessed with winning. That desire comes from deep inside him—he grew up trying to earn his father’s approval and has carried that same hunger for recognition into his political life. Now, instead of just trying to impress one man, he wants validation from an entire nation and even the world.
Even people who strongly dislike Trump’s behavior and decisions—especially those on the political left—are starting to acknowledge that, in terms of political maneuvering, he’s had some major victories. His critics see him as a dangerous figure, someone who’s undermining democratic values and damaging America’s global reputation. They describe him as authoritarian and reckless. But to many of his supporters, he’s doing exactly what they hoped he would do—disrupting the system, pushing back against global elites, and following through on promises. And regardless of what side you’re on, it’s hard to deny that he’s had a run of success.
Trump thrives on attention and domination. When friendly media outlets toss him easy questions in interviews, he grins proudly, clearly enjoying the moment. His ego is large, and he needs constant affirmation. He wants to be the center of the conversation at all times, and he often makes sure he is—whether through shocking statements, dramatic actions, or public feuds.
Trump’s approach has been compared to bullying, and in many ways, that fits. He doesn’t hesitate to pressure or embarrass people who stand in his way. He’s not alone in this style—past presidents have also used power in strong, sometimes aggressive ways. Theodore Roosevelt used the term “Bully Pulpit” to describe how a president can use their position to shape public opinion. Lyndon Johnson, known for his towering presence and forceful personality, would lean over people, stare them down, and even do strange things to get his way—like urinating on a staff member’s leg as a bizarre way of asserting dominance. Andrew Jackson once threatened to kill his own vice president over political differences. So Trump’s behavior, while extreme by modern standards, is not entirely without precedent.
What sets Trump apart is how he uses modern tools—especially social media—to expand his influence. Through constant posting on Truth Social, and a nonstop effort to keep the spotlight on himself, he has built a kind of digital version of the Bully Pulpit. He criticizes world leaders, brags about his actions, and reshapes public narratives with his own spin. He frequently claims victories, even when the facts suggest otherwise. His refusal to admit he lost the 2020 election is a perfect example—he simply cannot accept defeat. For him, appearing to lose is worse than anything.
Still, at this moment, Trump is genuinely scoring some major wins, even if his critics don’t want to admit it. He recently pushed a massive spending bill through Congress. To do it, he cleared his schedule and focused entirely on pressuring Republican lawmakers to support it. He used every tactic available—threats, public shaming, and promises to campaign against them if they didn’t comply. Eventually, he got what he wanted. This wasn’t just another executive order that might be overturned later. This was actual legislation, written into law through the democratic process. For Trump, that’s a huge deal. It proves he can still dominate the political process and get real, lasting results.
On the global stage, he’s also making waves. After being mocked in the past for backing down on foreign threats, Trump recently approved a U.S. military strike on Iran’s nuclear sites. While some questioned the necessity of the action, the move sent a clear message: Trump is willing to act decisively and show strength. Iran didn’t retaliate in a major way, and some international tensions seemed to ease afterward. For Trump, it was proof that he can stand up to America’s enemies and walk away looking powerful. It also sent a warning to other leaders—like Putin and Xi Jinping—that he’s not afraid to act boldly.
Trump has also kept pressure on America’s allies in Europe. He demands they spend more on their own defense, saying the U.S. carries too much of the burden. At a recent NATO summit, he pushed hard for member countries to increase military spending. And he got it—NATO leaders agreed to raise their targets, doubling their commitment over the next decade. Trump walked away proud, saying the alliance needed the U.S. and had to take his demands seriously. To him, this was another example of using strength and stubbornness to get results.
He’s even gone after America’s neighbors. When Canada introduced a new tax targeting U.S. tech companies, Trump didn’t wait long to respond. He shut down trade talks and threatened steep tariffs on Canadian goods. The Canadian prime minister quickly backed off, and Trump took a victory lap. He made it clear that if countries mess with U.S. business interests, they’ll face consequences. It was a show of force that played well with his base.
Back home, Trump also took on the media. He sued CBS over a segment they aired involving Kamala Harris, saying they edited her words unfairly. CBS ended up settling the case, paying millions. While media insiders say the case had little merit, Trump treated it as another win. He claimed it showed he was holding the press accountable and protecting Americans from media bias. Whether or not that’s true, the fact remains—he forced a major network to pay up, and he used that to boost his image.
Economically, things are also looking better for him. After a rough period where his tariff threats caused markets to tumble, Trump has seen a rebound. A new trade deal with Vietnam helped spark a rally, and U.S. markets reached record highs. The S\&P 500 and Nasdaq both surged, giving Trump a clear talking point. He’s now pushing the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, which could boost the economy even more and give him yet another reason to declare success.
Right now, Trump is doing what he does best: turning everything into a competition and working nonstop to win. His methods are harsh, his tone is often combative, and he makes plenty of enemies along the way. But despite the drama, the backlash, and the endless criticism, he’s getting results—real ones. Whether or not those victories will last is another question. But for now, Donald Trump is winning, and he’s making sure everyone knows it.
