As Donald Trump’s transition team in Mar-a-Lago perpetuates an entangled web of chaos, the corridors of the Chief’s palace are filled with drama. Loaded with engaging elements as any reality TV show, these episodes include verbal confrontations, elbowing, and fights for space in the channel that is the early days of Trump’s unconvincing bid for the second time to the Office of the President of the United States.
Soaked in all the lies and drama is the childhood story of the greatest players in Trump’s sandbox. Howard Lutnick, a wealthy businessman and Trump’s Commerce Secretary candidate, recently endeavored to exclude Boris Epshteyn, Trump’s counsel from attendance at an important gathering held at Mar-a-Lago. Epshteyn, it is said, responded by blatantly elbowing Lutnik out of the way. Though such actions would often, in other political transitions, create a scandal, insiders associated with Team Trump laughed it off, calling it ‘the usual drill’ of the stormy winds that seem to possess Trump and his political circle. ‘What’s surprising, ‘a source close to Trump said, “It’s just Tuesday in Trump World.”
Mar-a-Lago: The Battleground of Factions
The drama continues, however. The Trump transition team, as reported by the Washington Post, has been transformed into a war zone as many warring camps have emerged, each of them trying to gain favor and establish supremacy over the others. There have been loud exchanges, ejections from vehicles, and most disturbingly, personal affronts. The most shocking of which was when the world-famous entrepreneur and investor allegedly had a heated exchange with Boris Epshteyn in the sight of everyone present. The moment encapsulated exactly the extent of the fighting competition that has been going on between the two.
Drawn into this fray is Susan Wiles, a senior campaign strategist who has now been handed the rather unenviable task of restoring calm. Wiles, who has been appointed by Trump as his Chief of Staff at the White House, has assumed the rather unusual position of conflict resolver and bouncer. This has included acting as a “traffic controller” and physically throwing out people she deemed inappropriate for the meeting in the effort to create order out of the disorder.
Elsewhere, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance has not shied away from expressing his anger on the matter. He was recently said to have lashed out at an ally of former chief strategist Stephen Bannon, who is Trump, which heightens the existing concerns about the old guard’s and Trump’s new political allies’ relations.
Trump’s Nonchalance Amidst the Chaos
The internal discord has attracted the attention of many political watchers, however, Trump himself doesn’t seem to care. Insiders contend that he considers the bickering normal, in fact a by-product of the way he has surrounded himself. One transition source said, “He feeds off of this. It’s like he loves watching people scrapping for his attention.”
The Washington Post offers some insight on the kind of infighting that is present; it is rather serious but is nothing like the disorganization Trump faced during his first transition in 2016. For instance, during his first presidency, rivalry within his camp extended to very destructive public spats. This time, while the tension rises, it is still exclusive to the boardroom for the time being — or so they say.
Transition Team in Disarray
The Trump squad, despite the media fanfare, maintains there is no hitch in the process of transition. It is revealed by one of the team, though, that efforts to assume power from the Biden administration are “in full swing.” The informant, however, conceded that it is rather a piecemeal effort with various groups working, at times, even at cross purposes with each other.
This fragmented strategy is trying the patience of many of Trump’s supporters and they wonder if such a mess could become a problem of governance if he wins again. But those loyal to Trump do not appear to be worried with such concerns because they claim that the former president has always excelled in chaos.
A Glimpse of What’s to Come?
The chaos inside Trump’s transition team is an indication of what a possible second administration of Trump could be like. Trump is known to have a unique approach in his leadership style and love for strong leaders, so he is probably OK letting his people slug it out. Without a doubt, he will be the last one standing, the one who makes the final call.
But, the question remains: Will such a captivating play acting be able to govern this country as the inauguration period is fast approaching? In the meanwhile, all the attention shifts to Mar-a-Lago as this place reopens as the war room for yet another episode of The Apprentice – this one being obsessed with machinations, vendettas, and sheer pandemonium.
