Donald Trump will return to the White House if he wins the election, but his supporters and detractors alike have made it clear that his second time around will be very different from his first.
With the Republican Party now fully in his hands and anti-Trump figures permanently purged, Trump has become more aware of his previous experience in the office and of what he believes the system has failed him. He will enter the Oval Office with both an abundance of resentment.
A series of chiefs of staff, secretaries of defense, national security advisers, national intelligence advisers, attorneys general and others who once expected to serve as stabilizing forces have deserted Trump, and his personality has changed. left behind a series of criticisms of his abilities. .
They were replaced by a group of advisers and officials with no interest in keeping Trump in check. This time, rather than acting as a bulwark against Mr. Trump, those working for Mr. Trump share Mr. Trump’s views, never mind the norms, traditions, and laws that past aides sought to uphold. He is eager to keep the extreme promises he made as a candidate.
Trump’s axis of influence has changed significantly since leaving office. Daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, once prominent campaign agents and senior White House staffers, have since distanced themselves from the turmoil of day-to-day politics. Mr. Kushner has made it clear he has no plans to return to the West Wing, and although he is involved in transition efforts, people familiar with the matter say he is unlikely to leave the private equity firm. .
Instead, Trump found himself relying on people like Donald Trump Jr., Elon Musk and Susie Wiles as he ran for his third White House bid.
Read more about President Trump’s White House reimagined.
