Trump is losing Europe's far right

Plus, the justices who stood up on birthright citizenship |

Thursday, July 02, 2026 Lily Becker: MAGA vs. MEGA President Donald Trump and his allies have long argued that Trumpism is part of a global movement reshaping the West. Now that coalition is showing signs of strain over Trump’s war with Iran, his public criticism of allies and his threats to reduce American military support. Not long ago, Trump appeared to have a point. In 2025, nationalist leaders from across Europe gathered in Madrid for the Patriots for Europe summit, promoting a “Make Europe Great Again” agenda modeled on Trump’s “America First” movement. The meeting included a close ally, right-wing populist Hungarian leader Viktor Orban, who was unceremoniously dumped out of power in an election earlier this year in a blow to the Trump administration, which had sent Vice President JD Vance to campaign for him. Also in attendance were Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Poland’s Karol Nawrocki, both of whom embraced many of Trump’s positions on immigration and cultural issues. Trump also endorsed Nawrocki during his presidential campaign. But a series of recent disputes is exposing cracks in that alliance, as Trump’s “America First” agenda increasingly collides with the national interests of the leaders who once embraced it. Read Lily Becker’s analysis here.   TODAY’S QUESTION Should the Supreme Court be expanded? As the Supreme Court released its final decisions before its summer recess this week, many progressives renewed their calls to expand the court in an effort to counter its current conservative majority. VOTE HERE TRUMP’S WEEK IN REVIEW Here are some more highlights of the president’s actions over the past seven days: Announced that the Republican Party will hold its first-ever national convention in advance of the midterm elections Called for Republicans in Congress to pass a bill that would end birthright citizenship after a Supreme Court ruling on it Said he has not yet decided whether to sign a bipartisan housing bill, dismissing it as “a yawn” Threatened to seize control of Washington, D.C., if voters elect a mayoral candidate he opposes   THE CHALLENGERS The news can feel overwhelming. But each week, we pause to highlight a person, organization or movement sticking up for their principles. This week’s challengers are Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett.  The Supreme Court’s conservative majority has often sided with Trump when he has sought to expand presidential power, making the moments when it pushes back especially notable. This term, those moments have included his efforts to broaden executive authority over tariffs and his executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship. Writing for a majority that included Justice Amy Coney Barrett and the court’s three liberal justices, Chief Justice John Roberts emphasized that the framers of the 14th Amendment extended the promise of citizenship to “every free-born person in this land” and underscored what that guarantee means: “Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights — to freely participate in our political community.” Justice Brett Kavanaugh concurred in part and dissented in part, arguing that Congress could end birthright citizenship through legislation. Read more. On Tuesdays, you can expect to receive a special edition of the Project 47 newsletter dedicated to covering the biggest issues shaping key races in the midterm elections. If you would prefer to opt out of the special midterms edition of the newsletter, click here and you will automatically be removed. NUMBER OF THE WEEK $1,000 One of Trump’s policies that has drawn praise from both supporters and critics is the creation of investment accounts for children under the age of 18. Encouraging families to start investing early and build long-term financial security for their children is a goal with broad appeal. And, in classic Trump fashion, the president put his own name on the program, calling them “Trump Accounts.” The accounts officially launch on July 4. Children born this year and next are eligible for a one-time $1,000 contribution from the federal government — provided they qualify. That’s where concerns begin. To be eligible, a child must be claimed as a dependent on a tax return. But many low-income families earn too little to owe federal income taxes and often don’t file a return at all. Parents also have to opt in to receive the government contribution. As of last month, more than 5.5 million accounts had been opened, but only about a quarter were eligible for the $1,000 deposit. That has some advocates worried that the families who stand to benefit the most may be the least likely to take advantage of the program. — Stephanie Ruhle, host of “Money, Power, Politics with Stephanie Ruhle”  TOP STORIES Nicholas Grossman Trump lost his fight with Iran. Now the war is entering a new phase. Susan Rinkunas The men leading the push to jail women for abortions Sharon Block and Tanya Goldman The Supreme Court gutted independent agencies. Congress must fight back. Priya Sridhar and Soorin Kim Trump to debut Qatari-gifted jet as Air Force One David Rohde Pulte’s choice for top spy aide stokes fears of Trump vote tampering MORE FROM MS NOW As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, a new special digital series from MS NOW examines the country’s complicated past, the battles we are still fighting centuries later, and how we will shape our future. Read “America in the Balance: The Fight for Our History and Future.” 229 West 43rd St. New York, NY 10036 UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER