Internal Struggles at Mar-a-Lago: How Trump’s Staffing Decisions Have Sparked a Battle for Power
As soon as it became clear on Tuesday night that Donald Trump was poised for a path to reelection, phone lines lit up within his inner circle. Conversations quickly shifted from the results to the crucial question of who would staff a potential second term.
What started as quiet discussions in the Mar-a-Lago ballroom has since escalated into a full-blown power struggle, playing out in real-time on the patio of Trump's Palm Beach club. By Wednesday evening, nearly every table was occupied, with insiders maneuvering for the most coveted spots—those closest to the velvet rope where Trump typically holds court.
Among those spotted at the club earlier in the day were Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trump Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, Tom Barrack, and Trump’s transition co-chairs, Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon. Trump himself spent part of the day reviewing a list of potential staffers curated by Lutnick in the months leading up to the election. However, some close to the situation have raised doubts about whether Trump will adhere strictly to Lutnick's recommendations or pursue other options.
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As the race for top posts intensifies, many hopefuls have been making strategic calls to form alliances with others also vying for positions within a potential Trump administration. Some have even booked flights to Florida, hoping to secure valuable face time with the former president in the coming days, when key staffing decisions are expected to be made.
As Trump narrows his choices, several potential picks have already been crossed off the list, according to sources familiar with the process, which has been described as both chaotic and fiercely competitive.
One name under consideration is Rep. Elise Stefanik, the House GOP conference chair from New York, who is reportedly being considered for the position of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Among the most closely watched battles has been the race for White House chief of staff, a contest that has now been resolved. On Thursday, Trump announced that his campaign manager, Susie Wiles, would take on the role, making her the first woman to hold the position. Wiles is widely praised for running what was considered Trump’s most disciplined campaign to date.
The chief of staff race had come down to Wiles and Brooke Rollins, who served in Trump’s first term and now leads the America First Policy Institute. However, Rollins ultimately withdrew from the competition after it became clear that pursuing the role would spark a power struggle with Wiles. Despite stepping aside, Rollins is still expected to take on an influential role in the new administration.
Trump’s decision to act quickly in naming a chief of staff marks a shift from his 2016 transition, when he took several days to appoint Reince Priebus to the role. Having a chief of staff in place earlier this time is seen as a way to establish a central power structure, reducing the need for people to go directly to Trump for decisions.
However, one source noted that Trump himself has been personally reaching out to those he wants to see in key positions. In recent months, Trump occasionally floated names for various administration roles, but he was reluctant to engage in extensive discussions. Sources close to him say this reluctance is partly due to his superstitions, with Trump typically avoiding deep conversations about staffing decisions before the election was formally decided.
As he finalizes his team, Trump is keen to reward those who have remained loyal to him over the past two years. In recent private conversations, he has made it clear that he plans to accommodate his allies, even if their views do not always align with his own.
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