WASHINGTON — Despite his penchant for the limelight, Donald Trump has kept a low profile following his recent victory in the presidential election last week.
During his first week as president-elect, Trump has not held any public rallies, press conferences, or speeches. Instead, he’s spent the majority of this time in private meetings at Mar-a-Lago, his exclusive club in Florida, where he is busy making phone calls, engaging with international leaders, and assembling his new administration team.
While he may be out of public view, Trump is certainly not alone. His environment is buzzing with advisors and associates, including members of Mar-a-Lago who are offering guidance during the selection of key government positions. Notably, Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur often regarded as the world’s wealthiest man, has been frequently present. Some observers suggest that Musk is the second most influential figure in Trump’s circle, only following his campaign manager-turned-chief of staff, Susie Wiles.
Musk took to X, his social media platform, on Monday to share that there had been a “very productive day of work by the transition team.” Trump is anticipated to re-emerge publicly on Wednesday, with plans to meet President Joe Biden at the White House and consult with House Speaker Mike Johnson at the Capitol. Overall, Trump seems to be moving swiftly in preparing for a potential second term compared to his first presidency.
Nonetheless, behind the scenes at Mar-a-Lago, the atmosphere remains competitive—a characteristic Trump has long cultivated throughout his career. A former White House aide close to Trump likened the dynamic at the estate to the drama of “Game of Thrones,” a sentiment echoed by another former official who described the tumultuous maneuvering for job placements within the administration. Both individuals requested anonymity to discuss the private matters.
During his previous election cycle in 2016, Trump did not stay out of the public eye for long after defeating Hillary Clinton. He visited the White House to meet then-President Barack Obama just two days post-election and subsequently met with key Republican figures on Capitol Hill.
At that time, Trump released bold declarations about moving forward on critical issues such as immigration and healthcare while also emphasizing job creation. Trump Tower became a focal point for media coverage, where reporters gathered in the lobby to catch glimpses of who would enter or exit the building.
One memorable encounter was in December of that year when he was seen with Kanye West, noted for their long-standing friendship. When pressed about their conversation, Trump commented that they discussed “life.” This encounter later led to significant controversy for Trump when he faced backlash for associating with West and a Holocaust-denying figure during a dinner in 2022.
In 2016, Trump also conducted transition meetings at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, where the media routinely assembled to witness the procession of potential candidates for his administration. Some, like Jim Mattis, went on to receive official roles, while others, such as Mitt Romney, did not. After their meeting, Trump and Romney were seen shaking hands with Trump expressing satisfaction over the discussion.
Today’s setup at Mar-a-Lago is markedly different, with the estate appearing to have heightened security compared to the time following two assassination attempts on Trump. Access to Mar-a-Lago is restricted, with barricades installed at the entrance. Security personnel from the Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Secret Service, and local police patrol the premises, ensuring the property remains secure.
Rather than traditional press releases, Trump has been using statements and posts on his Truth Social platform to announce key nominations. Club members and guests have shared glimpses of his activities on social media, capturing moments such as Trump dancing at a club event or dining with his wife, Melania, as they received enthusiastic cheers from attendees.
Recently, Trump left Mar-a-Lago only to visit one of his other properties for a short period. He also spent a Sunday at his golf club engaging in leisure activities with his granddaughter, Kai, who later shared snapshots on Instagram. Photos taken that day featured Trump in casual attire on a golf cart and later enjoying a meal alongside Kai. Musk was also noted to be present at the event, where Kai affectionately described him as achieving “uncle status.”
Musk’s involvement with Trump seems to resemble familial ties, as he was observed giving his son a piggyback ride during the election night celebrations, further solidifying his close association with the Trump family. In discussions surrounding the incoming administration, Musk is reportedly trying to influence decisions on a variety of policy matters, even those beyond his usual scope of expertise, including border security initiatives.
Trump has indicated plans to allocate Musk a formal position to oversee a group focused on enhancing the efficiency of the federal government, with Musk claiming potential savings upwards of $2 trillion, a significant portion of the annual federal budget.
In addition, Musk was included in a post-election call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the status of U.S. military support amid ongoing conflict with Russia. Both Musk and Trump have expressed hesitations regarding their support for Ukraine, with Trump often speaking favorably of Russian President Vladimir Putin and committing to end the conflict before his inauguration.
Compared to Trump’s first election cycle, which was marked by a slower pace in terms of preparing team members, the current transition appears to be unfolding much more rapidly. In 2016, Trump revealed his senior leadership team shortly after the election, but took over a week to announce his first Cabinet member. Conversely, this year has seen remarkable speed in appointments. Wiles has been quickly confirmed as chief of staff, while notable selections include Stephen Miller as a policy advisor and Tom Homan in the role of “border czar.” Additionally, Rep. Elise Stefanik and former Rep. Lee Zeldin have been designated as ambassadors to the United Nations and head of the EPA, respectively.
The competition for roles within Trump’s new administration has reached fever pitch. Unlike 2016’s unforeseen election, allies have spent years crafting personnel lists and policy drafts ahead of time. Candidates are enlisting public relations firms and lobbyists to boost their profiles with some, reportedly, even hiring consultants to enhance their appeal.
While Trump had hinted that he already had individuals in mind for various positions, Howard Lutnick, a leader on Trump’s transition team, previously stated that no recommendations had been discussed with the president-elect, highlighting Trump’s superstitious tendencies. Lutnick explained his methodology: finding the top candidates for each role to present to Trump for selection, stating, “That’s up to him, right? He’s the chooser.”