Back in 2015 I interviewed Donald Trump about a month before he strolled down that gold escalator and announced his run for the presidency. He was in town to meet with local business leaders here and in Iowa to lay the groundwork for his campaign. A campaign that quite honestly, I didn’t take seriously at the time.

During the interview he was railing against Barack Obama, and I remember saying to him that even when he does something right the conservatives won’t give him any credit for it.

He said that he didn’t do anything right. I mentioned that he killed Osama Bin Laden, and he begrudgingly gave me that point.

The interview was not very hard hitting. Like I said, this was shortly before he announced his candidacy. He was still the Celebrity Apprentice guy, and I had very little knowledge of who he really was or what he really stood for, but it stuck with me how he had a hard time admitting that Obama actually did something good.

That’s the problem with politics. Both sides have a tough time admitting when the other side does something right.

I am not a fan of Donald Trump. I am not a fan of his stance on immigrants, his inflation causing tariffs, the troops in Democratically run cities, his involvement in the January 6th insurrection, and numerous other policies and events.

But I can admit when he does something good. His involvement in getting the Israeli hostages home and the middle east ceasefire is a very good thing. And I have no problem saying it even though some of my anti-Trump brethren do.

In fact, I have no problem giving him credit for a few other accomplishments as well. It has been my experience in life that very few people are either all good or all bad. That includes politicians.

But that seems to be harder for some people to acknowledge.

During the Trump years I have challenged my MAGA friends and acquaintances with this little exercise. I will tell them that I can mention three things that I agree with Trump if they can tell me three things about him that they don’t.

I have yet to have one of them give me three policy issues where they think he’s wrong. Although lately I have been getting one or two which is a step in the right direction. Nobody seems to like tariffs, and the Epstein files have come up a time or two.

And although I haven’t tried the reverse exercise on my anti-Trump friends and acquaintances, I’m pretty sure most of them couldn’t name three things about the president they like.

I wonder why that is. Is there something in their DNA that prevents many from acknowledging their political adversaries’ good qualities? Most people can do it with the other parts of their lives. All but the most radical men and women of faith can acknowledge the good points of other religions. I hate the New York Yankees but I can acknowledge their legendary success over the years and that Judge is an awesome player.

But when it comes to Republicans acknowledging the Democrats good ideas or Democrats supporting a Republican idea, it seems that’s just not politically acceptable.

Although Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene has recently stood up to Trump, and Democratic Senator John Fetterman isn’t afraid to agree with the Republicans from time to time, so maybe there’s a glimmer of hope.

I commend President Trump and his staff for getting this far in trying to ease tensions in the Middle East. Will the ceasefire hold? Will there be long time peace in the region? Only time will tell.

But as I write this the fighting has stopped. The few hostages that are still alive have been reunited with their families, and the United States can hold their head high in knowing that our government helped make this happen.

Does this mean I am now a Trump supporter? Have I joined MAGA? If he finds a way to run again in 2028, will I vote for Trump?

Not in the least.

But today I have to give him his props. Today I will say nice job Mr. President.

Now if only he’ll release the Epstein files.

Tom Becka is a long time Nebraska broadcaster who for over 30 years has been covering Omaha and Midwest issues on both radio and TV. He has been a guest on numerous national cable and news shows, filled in for nationally syndicated talk radio programs and Talkers Magazine has recognized him as one of the Top 100 talk show hosts in the country 10 times. Never afraid to ruffle some feathers, his ‘Becka’s Beat’ commentaries can be found online on Youtube and other digital platforms.

Opinions expressed by columnists in The Daily Record are not necessarily those of its management or staff, and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Any errors or omissions should be called to our attention so that they may be corrected. Contact us at news@omahadailyrecord.com.