How does the new version of Trump think?

We’ve been overwhelmed, and it’s only been a few days since Trump took office. The dramatic inauguration ceremony, dozens of executive orders, Trump’s scowling face after the pastor’s plea for mercy toward immigrants and transgender individuals, and Musk’s controversial hand gesture – all of this has left us breathless as we try to keep up with the flow of news. We expected there to be a honeymoon period between the presidency and the press, but we didn’t expect it to start in the very first hours. Yet, the more important question now is: How does the “new Trump” think? And what are the similarities and differences from his first term? Here are five points that help us understand Trump in his new version.

Appointments

Trump has almost entirely excluded the figures he selected for key positions during his first term. General Mattis, Pompeo, McMaster, and John Kelly are all out of the game now. Despite their extensive military and diplomatic experience, the new Trump does not want them this time. Some of these individuals opposed Trump during his first term, turned against him, and were not loyal to him after he left the White House. The now-bitter Trump prioritizes loyalty over competence, which is why he has chosen a group of obedient and loyal individuals who at times seem even more enthusiastic than he is about MAGA ideals. Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, Michael Waltz as National Security Advisor, Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, and a long list of names from whom Trump expects no rebellion or opposition. There will be no Bolton-like figures in Trump’s new administration. Trump says he has learned from the first phase, knows how to find his way, and wants to rule with a firm grip on the administration. While it’s too early to judge the administration’s performance, experience teaches us that prioritizing absolute loyalty over competence can lead to mistakes due to the absence of someone who says “no” to the president. Trump needs some brakes, especially on slippery roads!

Negotiation

While the second Trump may differ from the first in his choices, his negotiation style is unlikely to change much. Trump, the dealmaker who threatened, promised, and presented himself as a man of deals during his first term, has displayed similar behavior in recent weeks. Even close allies like Canada and Mexico were not spared his harsh, unconventional early attacks. Trump is replaying the same tape, and we’ve seen this movie before. These fiery statements serve two purposes for Trump: first, they keep him in the spotlight and the center of media attention, which he thrives on. Second, they present him to his electoral base as a strong leader after Biden’s “weakness,” focused on making America great again, bringing back jobs “stolen” by other countries, and preventing future exploitation. While some may see Trump’s statements as mere optical illusions, his supporters view them as signs of a determined national leader aiming to restore his country’s lost greatness. Those who expected Trump to change his nature and methods fail to understand that it’s hard to teach an older man new habits.

Political doctrine

Trump will not change his negotiation style or his penchant for theatrics, nor is it likely he will alter his political doctrine. Trump proudly boasts of being the president under whose leadership no wars were fought, preserving the blood of American soldiers from being spilled in distant lands. He is likely to continue in this vein, as the outbreak of wars and US interventions would mean more spending – something he least desires. For this reason, he wants to end the Russia-Ukraine war as quickly as possible. He has no appetite for intervening in the Middle East and has pushed hard to impose a truce between Hamas and Israel. Trump hopes to be remembered as a man of peace and to win the Nobel Prize, all while fulfilling his core agenda for supporters that focuses on the economy. Trump paints a grim picture of America – with its deteriorating infrastructure, declining services, streets filled with the homeless, and thugs burning stores and robbing passersby. The outbreak of wars abroad would hinder his ability to deliver on these promises and cement his legacy as a successful president after the pandemic undermined his first term.

The angry Trump

In his first term, Trump did not focus much on cultural issues. However, in his inaugural address, he openly stated that there are only two genders: male and female, indicating that this would now be a top priority. This does not mean that Trump, the “liberal,” necessarily believes in everything he says, but his election campaign was built on cultural rhetoric opposing what he calls “the deviations caused by the radical left.” Trump has spoken about gender diversity, males competing in women’s sports, criticized foreign habits, and once attacked some immigrants for eating cats. This time, Trump will appear angrier than before because he realizes that, over the past few years, cultural clashes have intensified, and he wants to capitalize on the discomfort of many Americans who believe things have gotten out of control.

Trump and the Media

It was expected that Trump would enter a truce with the media, which opposed him fiercely and worked hard to bring him down and prevent his return to the White House. The angry media during his first term aimed to tarnish his image so that Biden could defeat him, and they succeeded. After his resounding victory, it was expected that his relationship with the media would improve, as it did with tech giants. But this seems unlikely. From the very first days, we saw that Trump, who thrives on stirring controversy and pleasing his supporters, will continue to give the media what they want to boost their viewership. If the deal benefits both sides, why wouldn’t it continue?

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