Donald Trump had a week full of significant achievements, both domestically and internationally, that left him in high spirits. The president began his week with frustrations over tensions between Iran and Israel but ended it celebrating notable victories at the White House.
Trump held two news conferences where he proudly recounted his accomplishments. Here are the highlights of his week.
One major win was a successful U.S. military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, which took place on June 21. Just days later, Trump announced a ceasefire in what he called a "12-day war" between Israel and Iran. Although the ceasefire faced challenges, including accusations of violations from both sides, it ultimately held. Trump claimed credit for this achievement, positioning himself as a peacemaker amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
While traveling to the NATO summit in the Netherlands, Trump received praise from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for his actions in Iran. At the summit, NATO allies committed to increasing defense spending by 5%, something Trump has long advocated. Rutte humorously referred to Trump as "Daddy," a title the president seemed to embrace, adding to his upbeat mood.
Another significant development came from the Supreme Court, which ruled in a way that strengthens Trump’s ability to implement his policies. This ruling limits lower courts’ power to block his orders, allowing him to pursue initiatives that had previously faced legal challenges. Trump hailed this as a monumental victory for the Constitution and expressed his excitement during a news conference.
In Africa, Trump facilitated a peace deal between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, aimed at ending years of conflict. While details about the agreement are sparse and past deals have often failed, both countries framed this as a significant achievement. Trump noted that the deal could also benefit the U.S. by providing access to valuable minerals in the region.
However, not everything went smoothly for Trump this week. His major legislative goal, a comprehensive tax bill, encountered setbacks. The Senate Parliamentarian indicated that some provisions may violate Senate rules, jeopardizing billions in proposed cuts. Trump is pushing for this bill to reach his desk by July 4, but the path forward remains uncertain.
Despite celebrating ceasefires in Iran and Africa, Trump has yet to deliver on his promises for peace in Gaza and Ukraine. He acknowledged ongoing efforts in Ukraine but did not mention Gaza during his news conference.
As the week concluded, Trump remained optimistic, reflecting on his recent successes while also facing challenges ahead.