Trump’s Resurgence: A Shift in Alliances as He Prepares for Return to Power
After a surprising election victory eight years ago, Donald Trump began his presidency as an outsider and exited as a controversial figure facing widespread criticism. Now, however, he appears to have regained favor among the elite in America, with influential figures from various sectors eager to align themselves with the 78-year-old Republican ahead of his anticipated return to the White House in January.
During a recent gathering at his upscale Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump remarked to reporters, “In the first term, everybody was fighting me. In this term, everybody wants to be my friend. I don’t know, maybe my personality changed or something.” Despite this assertion, his demeanor has largely remained unchanged, reflecting a broader trend among those who once opposed him but are now attempting to seek favor with a leader who prioritizes loyalty.
Wendy Schiller, a political science professor at Brown University, commented, “Currently, many are estimating that being in Trump’s good graces is advantageous — though the challenge is that his definition of favor can shift at any moment.” Following his electoral success, Trump has spent significant time at Mar-a-Lago, prompting numerous high-profile visitors to make the trip to engage with him.
Among the notable guests are prominent tech leaders. Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg visited in November to repair relations following Trump’s ban from Facebook following the January 6 Capitol riot. Other tech executives, including Apple’s Tim Cook and Google’s co-founders Sundar Pichai and Sergey Brin, have made the pilgrimage as well. Trump also indicated that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, a former Trump critic, is expected to visit soon. Reports suggest that executives from Meta, Amazon, and Open AI’s Sam Altman are collectively contributing $1 million to support Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
On Monday, Trump hosted TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew amid ongoing efforts by the company’s Chinese owners to avert a potential ban in the U.S. Reflecting on the contrasting reception, Trump remarked, “It’s like a complete opposite” compared to his first term.
This shift in dynamics is evidenced by the growing enthusiasm for his administration among former critics following a decisive electoral victory, summoning a strong mandate for the upcoming term. Recently, the New York Stock Exchange welcomed Trump to ring its opening bell, coinciding with Time Magazine’s announcement of him as their “Person of the Year” for a second time.
Republican lawmakers have shown increased compliance with Trump’s agenda, exhibiting reduced resistance towards controversial cabinet nominations, such as Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health Secretary. Trump hinted at potential challenges for those within the party who fail to support him, suggesting a tightening grip on Republican loyalty.
Even current President Joe Biden has moderated his previously harsh criticisms of Trump, perhaps seeking a smoother transfer of power that Trump had previously denied him. The trend extends to international leaders as well; Trump has welcomed visits from right-wing allies like Hungary’s Viktor Orban, along with Canada’s Justin Trudeau, who is under pressure from Trump’s threats of substantial new tariffs.
Meanwhile, some media figures, who have noted their long-standing criticisms against Trump, are also attempting to mend ties. For example, the hosts of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, visited Trump’s estate in November, demonstrating the growing trend of reconciliation. Columnist Michelle Goldberg of The New York Times described the current sentiment as indicative of “The Great Capitulation.”
Conversely, opponents of Trump may face greater challenges moving forward. Recently, Trump initiated legal action against a pollster and a newspaper over unfavorable survey results released shortly before the U.S. elections, despite ultimately winning Iowa by a significant margin. Schiller noted that Trump is poised to leverage the power of the presidency against any who oppose him, indicating his deeper understanding of how to navigate that authority.
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