Refusing to lift the debt ceiling, and thereby defaulting on our obligations, would result in a decline in American credibility throughout the world, higher interest rates, and unnecessary economic turbulence. You would think that avoiding that outcome would constitute “winning.” However, Trump is all about himself, not the condition of the country, so standing firm in the face of congressional action of which he does not completely approve could be viewed as asserting his authority in the process, and thereby “winning.”
Which of these definitions of “winning” will he choose? I wish I had more confidence in #1.