President-elect Donald J. Trump had been holding forth for about an hour when he gave an unsolicited assessment of the difference between his White House transition eight years ago and now.
Transition from First Term to Second Term
“The first term, everybody was fighting me,” he said during his news conference at Mar-a-Lago, his members-only club and residence in Palm Beach, Fla., on Monday. “In this term, everybody wants to be my friend.”
Mr. Trump’s statement was hyperbolic, but not by much. He has enjoyed a steady stream of vanquished opponents and critics and business leaders who once spurned him arriving to pay respects, seek jobs or simply watch him press “play” on the iPad that he uses to control the music from the patio during the dinner hours.
Control Over the Republican Party
At least in part, that’s because Mr. Trump has bent the Republican Party to his will. And he has payback on his mind, a fact he made plain on Monday.
With his significant influence over the party, Trump has seen a shift in how others interact with him. The power dynamics have changed, and many are now seeking to align themselves with him.
Looking Ahead
As Trump's second term unfolds, it will be interesting to see how his relationships and alliances continue to evolve. With a strong hold on the Republican Party, he may continue to see more supporters and allies than adversaries.
Donald Trump, Presidency, White House, Transition, Republican Party
