Power Over Prestige

Trump's approach to power starkly contrasts traditional political behaviors. While past leaders often aligned with established economic advisors and respected institutions to maintain credibility, Trump disregarded these norms. His priority was not about conforming to respectable practices but rather about identifying and engaging with those who held actual power over him. Trump recognized the influence of social conservatives and certain Republican lawyers, thus forming strategic alliances with them while dismissing others, like national security experts and economists, whose opinions he deemed inconsequential. This shift highlights a fundamental change in political dynamics where influence takes precedence over traditional respectability.