Bret Stephens, a longstanding critic of Donald Trump and a New York Times columnist, is rethinking his stance against the former president.

Stephens discusses the failures of the Never Trump movement in his column "Done With Never Trump," signaling an open-minded approach to Trump's second term, Fox News reported.

Identified as a "Never Trump" conservative for over nine years, Stephens has been vocal in his opposition, even when occasionally agreeing with Trump's policies. His stance persisted through Trump’s 2024 campaign, reflecting a consistent alignment with core conservative values.

Stephens now admits that the Never Trump movement might have overestimated the negative impacts of Trump’s policies and underestimated his resonance among diverse voter demographics.

Revisiting Initial Misjudgments

Highlighting specific errors, Stephens talks about the baseless fears that Trump could start World War III and unsupported allegations of collusion with Russia. He acknowledges the former president's comparative toughness on Russia before the onset of the Ukraine war, marking a significant rethink of Trump's foreign policy effectiveness.

An evolving perspective reveals a disconnect between elite concerns over democratic norms and the electorate’s urgent issues like inflation and immigration, prompting Stephens to suggest a reassessment of conservative strategy regarding Trump.

Moreover, Stephens criticizes elements within the cultural left for fostering bigotry, particularly through antisemitism and attacks on Israel post the October 7 events.

Calling for New Conservative Approaches

Stephens proposes that Never Trump conservatives move past their previous focus on deep moral judgments and catastrophic predictions which, in his view, detracted from their political effectiveness. He seeks a renewed focus on the reality of governmental concerns as Trump enters his second term.

While acknowledging the potential for serious challenges under Trump's leadership, Stephens encourages less reliance on severe historical comparisons and more attention to actual policy impacts. He emphasizes the importance of a balanced, observant stance on governance.

He also notes Trump's direct approach to tackle what many perceive as deception by the left concerning Joe Biden’s condition during his presidency, which found substantial agreement among the electorate feeling similarly misled.

Bridging Understandings in Political Discourse

Acknowledging earlier missteps allows Stephens to propose broader implications for conservative discourse. By admitting shortcomings in assessing the political landscape and Trump’s strategic acumen, Stephens suggests that conservatives might adopt a more nuanced approach to Trump's policies and leadership in his next term.

This change indicates a potential shift in the narrative among conservatives, urging an examination of Trump's administrative actions with a combination of skepticism and openness to potential successes.

In conclusion, Stephens calls for conservative circles to approach the new administration with optimism and prudence. He underscores the need to tackle actual issues rigorously without succumbing to fears about the decline of democracy, suggesting a constructive yet cautious engagement with Trump’s presidency.