Don Jr. Is now top advisor

Post Reply New Topic

Former President Donald Trump has elevated his son Donald Trump Jr. to an unofficial new role inside his orbit as he weighs the idea of a comeback presidential bid in 2024 that would require him to maintain a vise grip on the Republican base for any chance of success.

Behind the scenes, Trump's eldest son has emerged as one of the former president's chief political advisers, according to multiple sources who are close to Trump or involved with his political operation. Like his brother-in-law Jared Kushner, who spent much of the last four years attempting to steer the Trump show from inside the West Wing, Trump Jr. has been working closely with his father's team to ensure the next iteration of the 45th President's political career is running smoothly and that his father is endorsing reliably conservative candidates.

But his role extends far beyond operational guidance. In the months since Trump left Washington, Trump Jr. -- who never worked in the White House and is undeniably the most conservative member of the Trump family -- has been steadily influencing his father's political instincts. Aides describe their relationship as notably more affable than Trump's ever was with Kushner, who has taken a break from politics.

Trump Jr.'s impact was on full display earlier this month, when Trump caught himself fuming at a televised interview with Gov. Asa Hutchinson over the Arkansas Republican's stance on transgender issues, one that would have previously escaped his attention.

To outside observers, it seemed odd that Trump, who largely avoided LGBTQ issues during his presidency beyond banning transgender Americans from serving in the US military, would issue a statement skewering one of the nation's most conservative governors over a veto related to transgender youth. But inside the former President's orbit, it was abundantly clear who had influenced him.

He was always fighting for the cause big-picture wise, but now Don is taking more of a leading role in shaping the political direction of Trump's post-presidency," said a person close to Trump Jr.

Those close to the former President say Trump Jr. has also become a key conduit for GOP candidates vying for the 45th President's support. He has been intimately involved in the vetting process for Republican hopefuls seeking Trump's coveted endorsement, intervening when he suspects a candidate is unworthy of his father's blessing or urging Trump to avoid prematurely placing his finger on the scale in crowded Senate primaries.

The younger Trump has been advising his father on messaging, too, as Trump navigates bitter divides inside the GOP over issues like voting rights, so-called "cancel culture" and corporate accountability

A lot of what you're seeing out of Trump's operation nowadays is coming from the top," said a second person close to Trump Jr., who noted that Trump sometimes calls 15 people in a single day to solicit their thoughts on potential endorsements and the growing number of 2024 presidential hopefuls who are likely to toss their hat in the ring if Trump forgoes another run.

The conspicuous absence of Kushner has also been a factor behind Trump Jr.'s rise. While Trump's son has positioned himself closer to the former President since he left office -- including with a recent purchase of a home in Jupiter, Florida, just 35 minutes away from his father's luxury oceanfront resort -- Kushner and his wife Ivanka Trump have kept their distance from his post-presidential apparatus and shown little interest in reengaging anytime soon. Kushner is said to be keeping busy with a book about his time in Washington and his efforts to broker peace in the Middle East, according to reports.

Furthermore, three people familiar with Trump's thinking said he is still brewing over his defeat in the 2020 election, for which he largely blames Kusher, who served as de facto campaign chief throughout Trump's quest for reelection.

Several Trump aides cautioned against the idea that Trump Jr. has replaced Kushner in Trump's orbit, noting that both men have consistently served different functions since Trump entered the political scene.

Among some Trump aides, the younger Trump has also been floated as a potential successor to the throne should his father decline to run for a non-consecutive second term in 2024.

This is important because...